There is a song from the 1950s entitled Shrimp Boats. Its refrain is “…shrimp boats are a coming, their sails are in sight!”

I am altering the verbiage a bit. “Hurricanes are a coming, their winds are in sight!”

The hurricane season is upon us. No question. Three storms in a week! All contributing to dialogue and concern among Key West locals.

The first was a tropical storm which was a nothing. Passed over us as not quite a day of rain and then moved on to the Panhandle.

The second was Ana. Another tropical storm, though more intense. When discovered, it was reported to be on a straight line with the keys. Ana dissipated yesterday in the east Carribean. It is no more!

The third is Bill. Presently a category 2, yesterday it was projected as serious and going to a category 4. Two days ago, Key West was in its cone. No longer. Bill will bend and go north. Bermuda/North Carolina are areas for concern. And it is still projected to increase in intensity to a category 4!

We missed the bullet! Good! No, great! But it is not all over! The hurricane season is with us till the end of November. And it will be a part of our conversations almost every day from now till then!

I needed some Louis time yesterday. So I bought the newspapers and went out to Hogfish on Stock Island. Fish/healthy eating was not my concern. I had a pulled pork sandwich and fries. Sat there a couple of hours and ate and read.

Last night was the same diet wise. I needed more soul satisfying food. So lasagna it was at La Trattoria!

I met Marty first at the Chart Room. Che was there also. Had a couple of drinks and solved the world’s problems.

Met a gent by the name of Parker. Parker has been a Key Wester a long time.

He is talented art wise. In 2004, Parker designed the official Fantasy Fest poster.

There is a chalk board at one end of the bar in the Chart Room. About 6′ x 4′. While we were drinking, Parker went over and drew a wild ocean scene in about 10 minutes! A sea monster! And all other types of sea urchins! All with a rolling moving sea!

Even a sun or moon! I could not tell whether whatever was occurring, happened by day or night. What did intrigue me however was the perfect roundness of the sun or moon. All done free hand!

Enjoy your day!

Sunday started early. Lisa telephoned at 8 to tell me to meet the family at Camille’s at 9 for breakfast.

A quick shower and I was on my way.

Always fun to be with the grandkids. Especially at a restaurant. They are individuals in their own right. Each knows what he or she wants.

Robert is always pancakes. And he must spread the syrup over them! Always too much! So rich!

Ally is scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast. And ketchup! She orders ketchup as if it is an entre. Ketchup on everything! Even at home! On fruit, cereal and the like. Even on lettuce!

Bocci is Thursday night. Jules and I decided to practice yesterday. For shame! But we thought it was needed!

We met at the bocci courts at 11:30. It was boiling hot and humid!

Our purpose was to learn how to blast. The fast hard shot to break up a series of balls.

We were throwing hard. The heat did us in in 45 minutes. We had to quit!

Did we figure out how to blast? With accuracy, of course. I don’t know. Jules thinks we got the hang of it. The proof of the pudding will be Thursday night.

I hurried to Paradise Cafe for lunch after bocci blasting practice. Glad I did!

It was one in the afternoon. Paradise Cafe was closing for all time! Finally and for good! The bank did them in!

It was sad.

I was the last customer at Paradise Cafe. My 15 year run had come to an end.

The owners are reopening under a new name at a new location. Blossoms! On White Street, just off Eaton. About 2 blocks from its 15 year plus location.

It will not be the same! No out door seating. Five parking spots however. And the same good cuban sandwiches we have all become accustomed to.

I wish Blossom’s good luck!

I spent the afternoon in the air conditioned cool of my bedroom watching Tiger Woods in the final round of the PGA. He was matched against South Korea’s Yang. Yang won by 3 strokes. He never succumbed to Woods in any fashion.

Woods has been playing conservatively the past few tournaments. It has been good enough to win. But not yesterday! I think he has to go back to shooting for the pin and seeking to sink the long putts rather than lagging up.

On the other hand, who am I to give advice to Tiger Woods! I, the world’s worst golfer, sharing words of wisdom with the world’s best!

Last night was dinner at the Yacht Club. Sunday night is brunch time. Always a good meal!

Two storms heading our way. The first of the season. Ana and Bill. Ana looks like a bust. Merely a tropical storm. A lot of wind and rain for a day. Bill on the other hand could be of concern. Appears to be a hurricane in the making. The cone is bending, however. It may never hit Florida or may just brush by.

Ana is due Thursday. Bill Saturday. An interesting week ahead.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Sunday!

The rain has stopped!

Wild yesterday! Poured all day.

It looks like today will be a good day. In spite of the fact that thunderstorms have been predicted.

The hurricane season is upon us. Ana due to hit Thursday and Bill Saturday.

Ana is presently predicted as a tropical storm. Bill a hurricane.

Whether each will hit Key West is another story. We must assume they will for saftey’s sake. And hope they will not!

I am watching the weather channel as I write this morning. That rainstorm that was over us big time yesterday has developed into a tropical storm in the Gulf and is heading for the panhandle.

No question. The hurricane season is upon us!

The rain yesterday made my day easy. I stayed in bed all day. Watched the PGA.

Last night I hit the Chart Room first. Thought the place would be packed. Rainy days make for busy bar times.

The Chart Room was empty. I had a drink with bartender Michael.

I opted for dinner at the Hot Tin Roof. Glad I did. Many that I had expected to see at the Chart Room were at the bar at Hot Tin Roof!

Jean, Joe, Gail, Brian, Ammie and more!

Good people all! Good company all!

Love Sundays! Meet the Press, the Sunday papers, PGA final round, the Gardens later and finally dinner at either La Trattoria or the Yacht Club.

What could be better!

You enjoy your Sunday, also!

I babysat yesterday!

An experience!

I took Robert and Ally to the Reach. The Reach has constructed an outdoor chess game.

The board is a form of ceranic tile. Layed into the ground. Each square is 2′ x 2′. The squares are black and white.

The chess pieces are 18 inches tall. A bit heavy. Colored black and white.

The pieces were heavy for both Robert and Ally. Especially Ally. But with a bit of my help and some grunting and groaning by all, the board was set up with all pieces in proper position.

Then Robert and Ally played. About mid way througfh the match and with Robert winning, Ally got tired. Or so she said. That was the end of the game!

It was lunch time. I asked where they wanted to go. They agreed. MacDonalds!

A real joy!

They had boxes of chicken nuggets and fries. Robert had chocolate milk and Ally lemonade.

I could have used a gin. But no gin was to be had! So I ordered one of those big new angus burgers. Full of calories and cholesterol! Excellent! And a diet Pepsi.

We talked. About toys and clothes and swimming. And lemonade! Robert tasted Ally’s lemonade and liked it better than his chocolate milk.

Then it was back to my house to swim. We hung out in the pool till 3 when Lisa showed up.

It was a fun day. But tiring! You have to watch them every moment. And they are pure energy.

I was whipped by the time they left. So a quick snooze was in order.

I wanted to see the new movie Hangover. It has turned out to be a surprise summer hit. It was playing at the Tropic Cinema.

I did the early show. 6:15.

A great comedy! See it! You will laugh every moment fcrom start to finish. It is a tale of 4 guys doing a one night before the wedding bachelor party in Las Vegas. A riot!

After the movie, I walked over to Kelley’s. Had wings and a couple of drinks at the bar.

Then home to an early bed. Before 9! And a good night’s sleep!

Gail Miller is a well known woman about town. A popular, likable and admired figure.

She appears to have two loves in life. Spanish dancing and photography.

I had the opportunity to view some of her photography along the way yesterday. What a talent!

I enjoy your work, Gail! And you, too!

Rain predicted for today. Who knows. Who cares.

Talk with you tomorrow.

Good morning!

Bocci last night!

We played well! But unfortunately lost all 3 games.

None of us are disillusioned. We played one of the top teams, if not the top team, in the league. They make the playoffs each season. They are good! Maybe great! Their ball control and blasting ability is impressive and difficult to overcome.

I played with Jules, Rob, Michelle, Don, David, Karen and Keith. Keith is David’s son. First time he played bocci. Did well! Better than some of us who have been around a few years.

We walked away confident that this season will be better than last and that we will win our share of games.

Time will tell whether our confidence is false bravado.

Afterwards, I went to Don’s Place for a drink. Every one was there, of course.

Don sat and talked to me. Says we need the ability to blast with skill and confidence. I agreed. So we are going to schedule a practice session over the weekend to work on blasting. Not we, me. Don conned me into assuming the responsibility.

Practicing bothers me. It means we/I are/am taking bocci too seriously. It is supposed to be fun!

It was fun last night. It will continue to be fun whether we actually practice or not!

I am baby sitting today. Robert and Ally are being dropped off before 9. Car seats being dropped off also. My daughter Lisa finally trusts me!

I plan taking the grandkids to the Reach.

Robert and Ally both play chess. For real! They learned at Montessori. The Reach has an outdoor chess game. All the peices. Each light plastic and about two feet in height. Robert and Ally will be able to move the pieces and play a game. They will be so excited! And so will I watching them!

Have a good day!

I slept late this morning! Till 7!

The previous 2 nights I was up at 3. I feel so much better this morning!

Golf yesterday probably contributed to it. The humidity and lack of breeze was horrendous. Certain of the holes are lined with woods and huge mangos. They complertely block any wind that might be blowing.

I was soaking wet and completely tired by the time we finished playing.

I played with Larry and Randy. The group gets smaller in the summer. Yesterday was the smallest when we were down to 3.

I was the big loser! So, what’s new! Nothing changes. I pay to get beat up!

After golf, I literally crawled home. And to bed! But immediate sleep was not to be mine.

Lisa showed up with Robert and Ally. Love them! But I wanted to sleep!

They left after an hour. And I fell asleep for 4 hours. I told you I was tired!

I sound like that guy in the Key West Cemetary whose stone reads…..I told you I was sick!

I finished the evening quietly. Hogfish! For a hogfish sandwich and a couple of drinks.

And then home to bed again!

Donna and Terri are finally in New York. It took them about 3 months to drive from Key West to Chicago to Detroit and then New Yok City. With multiple layovers in between. They have many friends!

It is now time for Terri to go to work. Rehersals for Finian’s Rainbow start soon. May Terri have a Tony in hand at this time next year!

Bocci starts tonight! I am excited!

I was going to practice bocci for a couple of weeks prior to starting the season. The road to hell is truly lined with good intentions! I never got around to it!

So it will be cold turkey tonight. No problem. Ninety nine per cent of the players neither practice nor train. The purpose of bocci is not the game itself. Rather it is the drinking and partying that accompanies it!

What a country, America!

I am having trouble sleeping. Here it is 5 in the morning again and I am awake and up.

TV advertsisers know what they are doing. I just turned on the television and there was an advertisement for people who find it difficult to sleep.

Yesterday was a typical Key West day. Which means a good day! Never a bad day in Key West!

I spent the morning doing paper work. I miss having a secretary and staff to whom to delegate all my mundane duties. My appreciation for secretasary and staff has grown ten fold in the three years since I have retired.

It was lunch and reading the papers at the Yacht Club.

The early afternoon saw me at Borders. It is amazing where my reading takes me. I am into my second book in a week on sociopaths.

Then to Lisa’s. I needed to be with the grandkids. Love them, dearly! They are growing by leaps and bounds, physically and mentally. A constant amazement!

Last night started at the Chart Room. A good group! Marty, Dan, Jean, Joe and Stephanie. Stephanie was having dinner later at the Hot Tin Roof with Jean and Joe. Stephanie was wearing new shoes. Sexy black spiked ones. The shoe lady!

Marty and I had dinner at the bar at Michaels. Michaels is a pleasing place. It is the atmosphere. The atmosphere has a flavor of its own. It is a comfortable place to sit back, have a drink and something to eat. And pass the time of day with who ever is seated next to you.

I stopped at Don’s Place for a night cap on the way home. Glad I did. Jules and Tom and Rob and Beebe were there.

Bocci was the conversation item. We all play on the same team. The new season starts Thursday night.

What will the new bocci seasson hold for us? We were terrific 2 seasons ago. Fighting to make the play offs. Then last season we sucked! We were the cellar team!

Golf this morning! It has been 2 weeks since I played. I am looking forward to it. I don’t care how I play, even though I complain a lot after a round. I just enjoy being out there and sharing the experience with the less than sane people I play with.

Still dark outside. I have to start sleeping later.

Enjoy your day!

I was to bed early last night. So I am up early this morning.

It is about 5 am. Black outside. No apparent breeze . I cannot hear the water running through the open window.

I had dinner last night at Lisa’s. My grandkids Robert and Ally are terrific. Pure motion! They never stop!

Lunched at Paradise Cafe. Cuban toast with tomato and melted cheese. Always good! It was so humid, I ate inside. First time in a long time!

Brooke was barteneding Saturday night at the Keys Piano Bar. Brooke is a lovely young lady. In her mid to late 20s..

She was sporting a new hair cut/style. A short crew cut. Like mine.

I asked Brooke why. She said she needed a change. I looked at her like I did not believe her. There was a pause. Then she said, “My grandmother has cancer.”

Good girl, Brooke! You have done more for your grandmother than all the medicine in the world!

The iguanas are back in the news.

One of the local papers suggests we put them to good use.

Iguanas are not common to this area. Their natural habitat is Central America and South America. It is thought that they found their way here via the several hurricanes we suffered in recent years.

In Central and South America they are a food stuff. A staple. Iguanas are purported to taste like chicken. And are eaten by the populace of those areas.

Their skins are used to make leather shoes and bags.

The moral of the story was lets start putting iguanas to good use. Instead of thinking of ways to random kill them merely for elimination purposes.

One thing about Key West, it accepts everyone! We are unquestionably a diverse people. And we have chickens and iguanas all over the place to boot!

Yesterday was Captain Tony Day!

Captain Tony died last year. A Key West icon! Many claims to fame. Several marriages, many children, Mayor, bar keep, developer, and on and on.

Ran a first class Key West bar, he did. On Green Street, just off Duval. In the home of the original Sloppy Joe’s.

Yesterday was a big time musical event in Captain Tony’s honor. Music all day at the bar.

Last night at 8 my dear friend Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24 played. Unquestionably drew a huge crowd! Howard has a groupie following like you would not believe! I can visualize them bursting out the doors of CaptainTony’s and standing outside in the street 300 feet to each side of the bar.

I did not go. Love Howard! But I knew how big the crowd would have been last night. I was not in the mood. I opted instead for an early to home and bed.

I can hear water now. It is raining. Actually, it is pouring! I was awakened several times during the night by heavy rain. No problem. I prefer it fall by night rather than day!

Do some thing nice for some one today!

Several days ago Jean Thornton introduced me to a young lady named Stephanie.

Stephanie and I talked briefly. She seemed quite nice. Also, concerned. She exuded a genuine concern about people and their lives.

Stephanie works with the homeless here in Key West. That in and of it itself evidences concern.

Stephanie also likes shoes. An understatement! She loves shoes! She has hundreds of pairs!

Some women are like that! Marie Antoinette, the Marco woman from the Phillippines and the today female portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker in the Sex in the City series.

Stephanie wites a blog which ties in her love of shoes with world/personal problems. She publishes it weekly.

The blog is deep and touching. Thoughtful and introspective. Provocative. And right on!

It is extremely well written. Stephanie has style.

I strongly recommend that you read her blog. www.theislandshoegirl.com. It will capture you as it has me.

Stephanie is a philosopher at heart. A commenatator on world problems and her fellow human beings.

Read Stephanie’s blog and let it impact you as it has me.

A pleasant day yesterday!

I went to Fort Zachrey Taylor beach. The night before at the Chart Room, Marty and Captain Peter said they would be there and asked me to join them. By the fence on the left side.

I was there. Marty and Captain Peter were not.

No loss. I opened my sand chair and book and enjoyed the afternoon!

The young ladies were hot. The water cool.

I got hungry. Bought a hot dog! Delicious!

After a much needed shower (I hate all the sand that sticks to you when you leave the beach), I took a nap. The sun had knocked me out.

Then to Lisa’s for dinner.

Ally is 4. We play a game every time I arrive. She hides. I have to find her. I make believe I cannot. She gets excited!

Last night I really could not find her! She genuinely fooled me!

She hid her small body under the crumpled blanket on her brother’s bed. “I fooled you, Poppa,” she exclaimed!

After dinner, to the Chart Room. I can only take the grandkids so long.

The Chart Room was very busy. Five couples were in from the Tampa area to celebrate someone’s 40th birthday.

And they were doing it up big time! The night before was the roof top at the Bull and Bare Assets. Ho ho ho!

Marty still had to eat. So we went to the Hot Tin Roof.

I had a couple of drinks while he dined.

Jean and Joe Thornton showed up. Jean is one of the Mel Fisher’s Golden Girls.

And then Chris arrived.

I have not seen Chris since bocci season ended. He is around 40. A superior athlete. A scratch golfer. Probably the best bocci player on Don’s 3 teams. He works in the health food store on Simington. As you would guess, his body is slim and tight. Oh, for discipline and good health!

We had great conversation for a very long time. Then Marty mentioned that he and I were going to the Keys Piano Bar. Jean and Joe had never been there. So they joined us. Chris was off to a party somewhere.

The Keys was as good as the night before! Jean and Joe enjoyed it immensely. I have a feeling they are going to become regular customers there.

How can one not enjoy great voices belting out Broadway tunes!

That was my day! A very good day!

And now it is Sunday. My favorite day! Meet the Press, the Sunday papers, the grandkids, the Gardens in the early evening and every thing else in between!

Larry Smith is featuring Kate Miano at his Sunday Showcase at 9 tonight in the Wine Galley. Kate has one terrific voice. I plan on being there to hear her. Hope some of you can also.

Live a little! Enjoy your day!