Labor Day weekend! Party time! Cookouts! Picnics! And whatever!

Lisa, Corey and the grandkids came over for a cookout yesterday. We swam and frolicked. Cooked hot dogs. Turkey ones. On hot dog buns. Whole wheat. Lisa is a fanatic as to what Robert and Ally ingest.

The grankids have improved tremendously with their swimming. Robert can hold his breath and swim along the bottom of the pool for a long period of time. Ally moves around like a fish.

We ate at the bar under the tiki hut. Ally’s nose came just over the bar edge. Cute.

I spent the rest of the afternoon watching golf on TV. Tiger Woods, where are you???

Last night started with the Gardens, of course. What a crowd! Good music! Good people!

Kate Miano owns the Gardens. She has done a magnificent job ressurecting the place. It is one of the outstanding hotels, if not the outstanding hotel, in Key West. With a major financial committtment involved.

Kate was an aroused woman last night! It was as if some one had built a fire under her.

The city of Key West has decided to build a new city hall. There is no question one is needed. This issue is where and how.

Apparently a decision was made this past week to tear down the police station and build the new city hall there. The problem is the police station is directly across the street from the Gardens and its entrance. Kate is concerned with a major fall off in her business during construction.

It is called inverse condemnation. When a municipality does something that adversely affects one’s property.

Kate is serious about fighting this matter. She has already hired two law firms. One from Key West and the other from Tallahasee.

Her arguments make sense. The decision where to build by the City was apparently a swift one. Not uncommon here in Key West. The costs projected have increased over a period of a few days already. Another not uncommon feature of governmental construction. Look at the airport!

These things always have a way of impacting and increasing local taxes. Which are too high already!

There is also the issue of the City buying an already erected empty large building and converting it over into a new city hall. Kate says the City claims there are none. She found 5 in less than a week and brought them to the City’s attention.

Kate is a petite woman. Not in this instance, however. A sleeping giant has been awakened!

Beware City of Key West officials!

Afterwards, I went over to La Trattoria for a bite to eat. A decent crowd. Every one in a festive holiday mood.

Tina and Mike were sitting next to me at the bar. They are from Hartford, Connecticut. Work and live in Hartford, but own a home here in Key West also. On Passover Lane, near the cemetary. Tina is a computer guru with Travelers. Mike is a business consultant. Like many of us who traveled a similar path, I could see they eventually will settle here in Key West full time.

Kathy was bartending. Her last night for about 10 days. She leaves this morning for home (Albany), the Jersey shore and other points north. A family wedding is involved. Kathy, enjoy!

I stopped at La Te Da. Dead! No one! Like 3 at the inside bar and 2 at the outside bar. No reason to stay. So I walked across the street to the Keys Piano Bar.

The Keys had a good crowd. Not great, but enough. And a whoop it up crowd! The vacationers were in a loud party mood last night!

I had one drink and went home.

We are into the rainy season. Yesterday was bright and shiny till I was at the Keys Piano Bar. Then it poured suddenly and big time!

This morning is gray. There is a wind. The black clouds are moving by. I assume they will finally pass and it will be another great Key West day.

Talk with you tomorrow!

I am writing the blog late this Sunday morning. Very late!

Blame it on last night.

I imbibed too much! More than normal. And stayed up late also! Till one in the morning.

I woke earlier. With a big head! Tried to do the blog. My fingers and the keyboard were not matching up!

But I have finally made it! A couple of aspirins, some food and water and a little more sleep did the trick.

Last night started at the Chart Room. Initially I was the sole customer. It was me and Michael the bartender. Then a couple of people came in who I recognized. They had played pool table bocci at Don’s Place thursday night. We had great conversation regarding the new game. They think it is a winner, also. And believe we will be playing the game in the bocci off season.

The Chart Room involved a couple more drinks than normal. I am laying out last night’s drinking disaster for you.

Then to La Trattoria for dinner. It was busy. The beginning of the Labor Day weekend.

Which meant the food came slow.

Erin kept refilling my drink. I am not blaming her. I could have said no. So I drank a bit more at dinner than normal.

Now it was time for the Keys Piano Bar. Love those Broadway tunes!

The place was packed. Every one was joining in in the singing. Even me.

I was having a good time so I stayed longer than normal. And drank more than normal, of course.

Lovely Kate Miano was at the Keys. What a charming lady! I love it when she hugs and kisses me. So good!

That was last night’s partying that resulted in this morning’s tragedy!

I spent the earlier part of the day home watching college football and golf on TV.

ESPN carried the Minnesota v. Syracuse game. I am a Syracuse graduate. I was excited to be able to watch Syracuse’s first game of the season.

Syracuse lost in over time by a field goal, 23-20. No shame! A well fought game by both sides.

Syracuse football has been on a downward spiral the past several years. Syracuse football has been about as good as my golf game.

We have a new coach this year. Doug Marrone. Apparently he has a handle on the situation. Syracuse was behind 14-3 within the first seven minutes of the game. All I could think was that it was going to be another one of those years.

Then Syracuse came to life! They were leading 20-14 at half time.

Syrancuse has a defense and an offense this year. The team needs some fine tuning. It will win its share of games this year. Though not next week. Syracuse plays Penn State that was preseason rated #3.

I feel so much better now. Four hours ago was not for the living.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Yesterday was another lovely Key West day!

Sun bright all day. Till about 5. Then the clouds started gathering. Things turned black. Flashes of lightning in the sky. Rain time.

I slept late in the morning. Then did a little paper work.

I decided to try the restaurant at the airport for lunch. Its name escapes me. Always did. It is the same restaurant that has been there for over 50 years. The only thing different is that Key West now has a new airport and therefore a new reataurant. Structurally only. Still the same ownership.

I used to stop in occasionally at the old place for eggs benedict. You may have discovered by now that I like eggs benedict. The old restaurant served them all day.

I stopped in at 1. Bought a newspaper and sat down. Ordered eggs benedict. No eggs benedict. Too late. Stop serving them at 11.

That was the same thing that happened to me at the Pier House 2 weeks ago.

So I had a grilled cheese sandwich and enjoyed my paper.

Then to Borders to read. Another World War II book.

Afterwards, I had some errands to run. Groceries and the drug store. I was close to being out of food again.

Last night I intended to go out. I rarely stay in. I got hooked on a movie that took me to eight o’clock. So I said screw it and decided to remain home. Not a bad idea. An early to bed and no drinking night occasionally is wholesome and healthy.

Early to bed and early to rise seems to be correct. I am up early this morning. Around 6. The sun has not even peeked in yet. It is black outside.

Should be another good day weather wise. Enjoy it!

A new sports game was invented last night in Key West!

It is called Pool Table Bocci!

Don of Don’s Place and I make claim to the game. We further make claim to a common law copyright and advise of our intent to obtain a patent.

Last night was bocci night. It rained. Big time! The bocci courts were a mess.

Every one ended up at Don’s Place to drink. The place was packed at 6:30. It was like every one was all dressed and had no where to go.

Don’s Place has a pool table.

All of a sudden, it was decided that we should play bocci on the pool table.

Don got a bunch of clothe hand towels and stuffed the pockets. That was so the balls would stay on the table. The white ball became the pollina. The solid balls went to one team and the striped to another.

We were getting ready to play. Needed some basic rules however.

It was decided that the middle pockets would mark the ok line that the pollina had to reach. Hitting the pool table at the far end would not require that the ball be lifted from the game. Everything was hitting the far bumper. There would have been no balls left after a while.

A pool table is marked on its rail with diamonds. This is to help in banking shots when playing pool. It was decided that the player had to be behind the first set of diamonds when rolling. After a while, the rule was changed. It was too uncomfortable to shoot by the first diamond. So the line was extended to the second diamond.

Game became 10 instead of 16. To make sure everyone got a chance to play.

And we were off and running! Playing, that is!

Pool table bocci went over big time! Everyone got involved! I left after 3 hours and they were still going strong.

I do not wish any one to be confused. Pool sticks were not used. You had to roll the ball by hand. This was not pool. It was bocci! In a different format!

It was new. Rules were developed as we played. Rules will continue to be developed as we play further. I am sure we will be playing the game again.

This thing went over so big last night that Don and some of the guys decided that the pockets had to have some sort of wood or plastic pieces made to block the pockets. Cannot play a new big time game with hand towels stuffed in the pockets!

Before the night was out, some one showed up with some long narrow green boards. Measurements were being taken as I left.

Screw ups occurred. One time I used my opponent’s ball to shot instead of my own. In golf I would have lost the hole if I hit some one else’s ball. Here it was the first roll, however. It was finally decided to merely change the balls. More importantly, my foul up was labled a Louis Mulligan by all and will so be known for all time by others who commit the same error.

My tournament golfing team mate Angus played. He was spectacular! Angus is a nice guy! Jovial! I would describe him as a young Santa Claus.

Boomer was good, also. Although he tended to bounce the pollina off the rail itself at the start of his roll. I am sure that type roll will be ruled on at some point.

Don tried to organize things so the teams played together. So I got to play with Jules, Rob, Beebe, Michael, David and Don. I played in 4 games. We won 2 and lost 2. I was happy with the result. I was more happy to see how every one was having a hell of a good time!

I believe Pool Table Bocci is here to stay. As I as driving home, I thought this is a game we can play in the bocci off season. Don can form leagues and away we go! This would make Don happy for another reason. His business would increase on the night of play. A good thing for a good person!

When I went to pay my bar bill, it was only $4. Don said, “Only $4!” Don is a merchant. Has to make money. I understand. But I had a legitimate excuse. Yes, I drank. But last night was one of those nights when peole were buying me drinks.

This Pool Table Bocci is a winner! We have to stay with it!

It is the start of the Labor Day weekend. I have no plans. But I know it will turn out to be a good time.

I hope your weekend is good, also!

Good morning!

I finally experienced a good night’s sleep. Though I am up early. It is still black outside.

Yesterday was golf.

It was hot. Humid. Absolutely no breeeze. We were all soaking wet at the end of the first hole.

A good and interesting group played yesterday. Don, David, Aaron and Yankee Jack. Plus me, of course.

The outcome was strange.

David was the big winner score wise. Shot an 88. And he had not played in a while!

Don and Aaron each shot 89. Yankee shot 101.

And Louis, 118. My usual game.

You think it’s easy playing these guys every week! Even with strokes, it’s still tough!

We play for money. I should have been the big loser yesterday. I was not. Lost only $10. Aaron, who shot 89, lost $25. It depends on who your partner is on a particular hole. It further depends on the many side scoring games come into play on each hole. These side games are called “exotics.” They can make one player’s day and ruin another’s.

That is why Aaron’s 89 cost him $25 and my poor 118 only $10.

Even worse, David, who shot the lostest score, broke even dollar wise.

Don was the big dollar winner.

You have to be a CPA to keep score!

The heat was over bearing. The lack of breeze makes for a tough day. I went home and to bed and sleep for the afternoon.

Key West is in its quiet time. Very few visitors. This is an annual thing. Its the heat and families getting the kids back to school.

Duval was dead as I drove down it toward the Pier House last night. And shockingly, I was the only car parked in the Pier House parking lot. A first!

I had a drink with Captain Peter. Then decided to go to Michael’s for dinner.

Inerestingly, Michael’s bar was packed with locals.

Afterwards, I was in the mood to listen to some Broadway singing. So it was off to the Keys Piano Bar.

I was the only customer! Things ARE slow in town!

I had a drink, read the newspapers, chatted with Mark Watson and listened to the piano player.

Business should pick up significantly this weekend. It is the Labor Day holiday. Then Tuesday Womensfest begins thru the following Sunday. Key West will be jam packed with lesbian folk.

After that, Key West will be quiet again till Fantasy Fest the last week in October. Thus it has always been. Thus it probably will always be.

The sun is starting to rise. Heavy clouds though. So everything is gray. A pretty sight!

Enjoy your day!

The humidity goes on.

Each day more unbearable.

But we survive.

It is part of the weather and gives us all something to talk about.

I spent my morning yesterday doing paper work.

Then it was lunch and the newspapers at the Yacht Club.

The painting bug has bit me. I did not paint again yesterday, but prepared myself to do more. I went back to Ben Franklin’s. The place to purchase art materials in Key West.

I bought a few canvases. Different sizes. All small. I am afraid to attempt anything big yet. My spectacular effort will have to wait.

I also bought some additional brushes. I started this endeavor with only two. Different sizes and configurations are required. The different strokes for different folks thing.

I stopped at Albertson’s. Who do I run into? One of Key West’s most prominent artists. Jim Salem!

Jim is always bugging me to join his art class. Little does he know.

I have not joined the art class because it conflicts with golf. Wednesday mornings. There are priorities in life.

I did not tell Jim I had started painting again. I did tell him I mentioned him in yesterday’s blog and told him to read it. He will thus learn of my reentry into the art world. He will fear me not!

It was late in the afternoon when I returned home. Too late to paint. Instead, I napped. The heat had gotten to me.

Ally started soccer last night. First time she has ever played. I went over to watch her.

Forget the soccer. She is such a lovely young lady! It is obvious at the age of 4 that she will grow into a beauty.

For a first timer, she did well. Ally listens. She has the concept of kicking down. Pays attention to the ball. Directs it towards the goal.

She does not use her strength yet. She kicks the ball like a girl! No disrespect intended ladies. Ally needs to kick hard. She will learn.

The humidity was awful. The soccer field is large and wide open. No trees. No shade. No breeze.

I felt sorry for the kids. And I felt sorry for the parents and grandparents watching!

Plus there were little bugs. Small flies. Called no see mes. But last night you could see them! They were out in mass. In large groups, all over. They were even sticking to my shirt.

I did not last even a half hour. I told Lisa and Corey…..You are the parents! You have to stay! I’m leaving. And off I was!

To the Chart Room. Captain Peter was there. Talked with him and Mark the bartendeder for awhile. Then Sean the reporter showed up and joined us. We covered a multidude of community sins for the next hour.

I felt grimey from my soccer field experience and decided not to go out for dinner. Instead, I stopped at McDonalds on the way home for 2 fish sandwiches and a small bag of fries.

I ate at home at the kitchen counter. The fish sandwiches weren’t bad.

While eating, I read. I am in the process of finishing a book called McMafia by a Misha Glenny. The book was published in 2008. It is my present home reading book. It describes crime cartels world wide. From Brazil and Ecuador to Canada to the Middle East to Russa and the Orient. These crime cartels make the former American Mafia look like kids. Their success also suggests that crime may pay.

Later this morning golf! The humidity will be tough. Hope there is a breeze on occasion.

Do a good deed for some one today!

Years ago I used to paint.

Not houses. On canvas.

The early 1960s.

I took lessons for 2 years one evening per week.

I painted for 3-4 years. Generally, every evening after returning home from the court room. I would leave work tense. Very tense. Painting used to relax me. I became absorbed in what I was doing.

Then my law practice became too busy for me to continue painting. There was not the time. So I put the paints and canvases away and became a collector.

Yesterday I painted again. The first time in 50 years!

Lisa gave me some canvas, paints and an easel two years ago as a Christmas gift. The items have been sitting on my bedroom floor in a corner waiting for me to get interested.

I finally did yesterday. Why, I am not sure. But I knew it was time.

The easel was a problem. I had to put it together. After an hour, I gave up. Forget the easel!

I was starting well.

I decided to paint outside on the bar under the tiki hut. This placed me in the shade and on the water.

It was humid.

I did 2 small paintings. Used acrylics. Did one of a palm tree, water, sun and sky. The other a sign for my friend Howard Livingston’s Mile Marker 24. The sign in a reddish orange. The background in Jack Baron type blue and gold dots.

I think I painted better 50 years ago. I was initially disappointed in the result of my efforts. Then I remembered that that was the way I painted 50 years ago!

A person paints what they see, as they see it. We do not all see things the same way. That is what sometimes makes art viewing interesting. What was the artist painting? What did the artist intend to reflect?

I never painted precisely like a photograph. Nor did I yesterday. I paint what I call sort of. It sort of looks this way.

The real reason I paint in that fashion is that I am not good enough to paint with precision. A Rembrandt or Jim Salem I am not.

On the other hand, the Metroploitan Museum of Art is full of sort of paintings like mine.

When I finished, my tee shirt was soaking wet. I had become absorbed in my work just as painting had affected me 50 years ago. I was tired. But felt good. Relaxed.

That was my morning.

I lunched at Hogfish and read the newspapers. Ate hogfish. What else! So good!

Then I went to Ben Franklin’s. A department store. Sells artsy stuff. Like paints, canvases, frames and the like. I spent an hour wandering around. Bought nothing. But got a lot of ideas.

I guess I am back into painting. As poor as my work may be.

Last night was a big time! Soccer season started!

Grandson Robert was playing.

Hot! Humid! No breeze!

The kids play for 1 1/2 hours. I lasted a mere half hour. I could not take the humidity. Plus, no shade. Just a huge open field.

Robert played well. Better than last year. He is excited! So are his parents and me!

Ally could care less. She was over at the playground on the slide with some other girls. Tonight will be different for her, however. She plays! First time! I will be there.

I hit the Chart Room. Still sweating from the soccer experience. Had a drink with my friend Captain Peter.

His ankle has finally healed. The swelling is down. He had the gout. The doctor gave him the right medicine, but had him take it at the wrong time as I understand it. Screwed Peter up big time. His ankle swelled, his blood pressure dropped radically. Peter was out of sorts for about a week.

Then to La Trattoria for dinner at the bar. Kathy bartending. Love Kathy!

As I left, I ran into Beecha on Duval. After a hug and kiss, she told me it was her night off and she was returning from bingo at the Green Parrot.

Bingo?

Is bingo returning? Or has it been here all these years?

My new found friends Gary and Tecia play Sundays at 801.

All three tell me it is fun! They enjoy it!

Is bingo next on my agenda? No, I think not. On the other hand, you never know.

Have a good day!

Saturday night at the Yacht Club was harder on me than I thought. I was hung over. I spent all day yesterday in bed, except for two brief excursions.

I thought a swim would help. So I swam laps for a half hour in the pool at mid day. Did nothing for me.

I had Sunday dinner in the evening with Lisa and the family. Stayed all of an hour. I was planning to go over to the Gardens afterwards. Instead, I returned to home and bed.

Oh, how we pay for our sins!

Key West has many world wide connections. Key Westers have touched the world. There is always some one here who has experienced a bit of life with some one living in a distant place.

Lou Harris is the world famous pollster. Especially of the 1950s and 1960s. He is retired and has lived full time in Key West for many years.

He was a close friend of the Kennedy brothers. His name always comes up in any readings of the John and Robert Kennedy campaigns of that era.

He was close to Ted Kennedy. And to his wife Vickie. I commented on Vickie yesterday and her stoic appearance at the Senator’s church ceremony.

I read the local news paper Solares Hill later in the day yesterday after I had written the blog. Solares Hill reported that Harris had left thursday to visit the Kennedy family and Vickie in Massachusetts. Solares Hill also reported a comment by Harris that Vickie’s discipline was of great value to the Senator during his latter years.

Truly a small world!

I hope today is a better day for me!

A sad time yesterday. I watched Senator Kennedy’s church service on TV. Very emotional!

Two things especially moved me. His sons and wife Vickie.

Both sons spoke of their father. With a warm and respectful eloquence. Sometimes humorous, sometimes tearful.

Vicky’s appearance and demeanor spoke to every one without any words being uttered. She manifested a supportive dignity. The Senator was lucky to have had her in his latter years.

A week of sadness is behind us. Life moves on.

Last night was party time! And party we did!

The Yacht Club had a lobster fest. So I invited some friends to join me.

Don and Stephanie. Rob and Beebe. David and Karen.

And Jim. Jim is husband to my bocci partner Jules. Jules was not with us. She was visiting girl friends in New Orleans.

None of us has ever seen Jim without a baseball cap on his head. Last night he arrived without the hat. A different man! He had hair! Thick white hair. We never knew!

What a party! What a time!

Good food! Good company!

I was a bit wasted when I finally got home. OK to do every now and then.

It is Sunday! Love Sundays!

The newspapers, Meet the Press, Lisa and the grandkids, the Gardens and I don’t know what else.

Hope your day is a good one, also!

A good Key West day yesterday!

I had lunch with my favorite girl. Daughter Lisa. We sat quietly and talked for a long time at the Yacht Club.

Then over to Borders to read a bit.

I came across a pictorial novel about Dansville, New York. Never heard of Dansville before. For some reason, I started leafing through it. The pictures reminded me of my own home town up north, Utica, New York.

So I decided to read the book. It was one of those quick short things. Took all of a half hour.

Dansville is a village located in Livingston County in upstate New York. Probably a 100 miles to the south west of Utica.

A village in New York is the smallest municipal entity. A village is genrally part of a town. Dansville was and is in the town of North Dansville.

I know this all sounds less than exciting. But Dansville does have an interesting history!

Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.

She was tired after nursing in the Franco-Prussian Wars. So she took a trip to Dansville. Dansville at the time was famous for its health spa. Barton went to the spa to rest. The time frame is early 1870s.

Barton liked Dansville so much that she became a resident. Lived there for 10 years. And it was while she lived in Dansville that she founded the American Red Cross.

Dansville had another famous resident. His name was Klinker. He manufactured one of the first automobiles in the United states. Right there in Dansville. And called the car Klinker.

The compny did not stay in business long.

The Chart Room to start my evening.

Che was leaving as I arrived. Peter said hello and left. Marty is out of town. Going to be a boring evening, I thought.

No way.

In came Gary and JJ. I had never met either. They are locals. Our paths have just never crossed.

Gary is in charge of maintenace at Las Brisas. JJ is retired from a credit union career. We had good conversation.

There was also a tourist at the bar. From Atlanta. We talked a bit about the federal Centers for Disease Control which is located in Atlanta. A big deal! My enviromental work took me there a couple of times for extended trips. A huge campus. It has all kinds of information and data about bad things. An intimidating place.

It was dinner at the bar at Hot Tin Roof. A piece of snapper. So good! And kind words from manager John.

By the way, I still am into my good health kick. I have lost 5 pounds since Tuesday. I know. It’s all water! But 5 pounds is 5 pounds!

After dinner, it was off to the Keys Piano Bar. I was in the mood to hear some Broadway tunes well sung. And I was not disappointed!

The performances were outstanding!

While I was enjoying a drink at the bar, Queen Kate Miano came in. She was dressed in all her queenly regalia. The crown, the long dress. Her personal regal appearance.

She came to me immediately with open arms. A warm embrace and kiss. Kate is a wonderful person! She was all dressed up last night as it was the beginning of this year’s Fantasy Fest quest for a new King and Queen. Kate is reigning Queen.

Mary Jo came in. I am amazed by the woman’s ability to survive! A hug and kiss from Mary Jo, also.

Then home to bed and a good night’s sleep.

I slept a bit late. Which is good! And welcome! The sun is up. There is a slight breeze. It is going to be another golden Key West day.

I hope the sun is shinning where ever you are! And if not, may it shine in your heart!