Lori is back!

Lori cuts my hair. And every one elses.

Her beauty shop Blown Away is on Southard, just off Duval.

Lori took a month’s vacation. Visited family in Maine and Long Island.

Lori is a petite lovely blond. Always pale. Works long hours and has little time for beach and boating. She was not pale yesterday! What a tan! She got in a lot of beach time on her vacation!

I had a craving for eggs benedict for lunch. So I went to the Pier House. The Pier House’s eggs benedict are absolutely delicious! Figured I would eat on the out door deck by the ocean.

No eggs benedict!

I got there after 11. They stop serving eggs benedict at 11. A stupid rule! They had all other egg preparations on the menu. Anyhow…..no problem. I had ham and eggs. Which were good! But did not satisfy my need for an eggs benedict fix!

Met Marty and Captain Peter at the Chart Room last night. Had a couple of drinks with them. Captain Peter has not been feeling well lately. However, last night he appeared to be on the mend. In fact, he was drinking. The first time in about a week.

Marty and I had dinner at La Trattoria. The retaurant was busy. Good for this time of the year.

There was a time when Key West was dead in the summer. No more. Over the years, business has been picking up. Especially on the weekends.

Beecha of course was her usual lovely self. What a nice person! Her hugs make me happy!

I said good night to Marty after dinner with the intention of going directly home. On my way to the car, I changed my mind. It was still early.

I decided to stop at the Keys Piano Bar. Had not been there in a while.

Glad I went! The singing was spectacular!

The concept of bringing in New York professional singers has proved successful! The Keys Piano Bar adds another dimension to Key West.

Today is Lobsterfest!

Duval will be closed off at the tourist end. Stands erected. Lobster will be prepared and cooked in a variety of ways. People will gather and walk up and down the street. And eat different preparations of lobster. Generally with their fingers!

A Key West experience!

Have a good day!

I am back in Key West!

And happy to be!

As I drove home from the airport, the palm trees looked terrific! And the humidity felt good!

Yesterday was a long day. It started at 8:3o when I left Utica for the Syracuse airport. My ride was late and we had to speed the 50 miles to Syracuse.

I got there about 20 minutes prior to flight time. Not good in these days of security, long lines and the like.

The first two legs of my trip were on Northwestern. I rushed to the Northwestern counter to check my bag and me. The young lady checking me in was terrific. I think her name was Jenna. If I am incorrect, I apologize.

She got all excited when she saw I was traveling to Key West. She was even more excited when she learned I lived there full time.

I am confident she will join in reading the blog this morning.

I made the plane just in time. My bag did not. More regarding the bag later.

Yesterday was a day of lovely young ladies.

I was seated on the first plane next to another beautiful young lady! A real beauty! Tall, blond and statuesque!

I was impressed how cool she appeared. I snuck a peek over a few times while I was reading my book. Sun glasses cover an old man’s sneaky eye!

When we landed in Detroit, we were stuck on the runway a while. I initiated a conversation.

Her name was Charlene. This was the first time she had ever flown! So much for the cool!

I felt bad I had not spoken with her earlier and perhaps have taken her mind off the anxiety.

Charlene is 22. A senior at Buffalo State. An education major. Does not think she will be able to get a job in this economy when she graduates. So probably will get a Masters.

She was flying to Kansas City. Her roomate lives there. They were going to drive back to Buffalo together.

Seemed strange. Buffalo is a 3 hour drive from her home. Kansas is in the middle of the country.

While we were walking to our next planes, she admitted she was also sort of in love. I suspect Charlene’s roommate was the boyfried. Now the plane flight and long drive made sense!

Charlene is from Chittenango. A small community about 15 miles from Syracuse.

Before the New York Thruway was built, my father used to drive us to Syracuse over route 5. It went right though Chittenango. I recall Chittenago being known as the ham town. It even had a restaurant with a sign outside…the Ham that Am. Dad always made a big deal out of the ham factor. We would even occasionally stop to have ham and eggs. A treat!

I mentioned the ham thing to Charlene. I told her about the Ham that Am. She looked at me with a blank stare. She did not know what I was talking about. Never heard of the ham thing!

I told her to ask her father the next time she spoke with him.

I have not been through or in Chittenango in over 50 years. Things must have changed!

I had a 3 hour lay over in Fort Myers. It was dinner time. So I sat down at one of those airport eateries for a drink and burger.

I asked the waitress for a Beefeater on the rocks. She asked me for ID. I said you’re kidding! I’m 74! She said no, she had to have it. I said, OK. And thank you. You just made my day!

The third and last flight was with Cape Air. An 8 seater twin engine plane.

It was painted in jungle like colors. Had a picture of Captain Tony on the side. And a shark head painted on the nose! Like those World War II fighter planes in the Pacific. Shades of John Wayne in Flying Tigers!

I wanted to sit in the back. My concern was leg room. The pilot insisted I sit in the co pilot’s seat. I was the biggest passenger and he needed the weight up front.

You have to be an accordian to crawl into the co pilot’s seat! But I did it!

Surprisingly, I had a lot of leg room! More than I would have had in any passenger seat.

A pleasant flight!

We were up around 2,000 feet for a while. Then when we were out over the open Gulf, we dropped considerably. I thought once we might skim the water top!

The sun set as we were arriving in Key West. What could be better!

Before we left Fort Myers, I was told my bag was not on the plane. Northwestern could not find it.

When I arrived in Key West, I went to the counter to advise my bag was lost, etc. The woman asked my name. I told her. She said we have your bag!

Back to Syracuse! I was late to the airport. I just made the plane. My bag did not. Some how it got on flights and arrived in Key West before me. Why could I not have been booked on those flights? It took me 12 hours to get to Key West!

Marty telephoned just as I walked in the house. He was at the bar at Kelley’s enjoying a Maine lobster. He wanted to know if I made it back safely and if I wanted to join him for dinner.

I was dead! I said, thank you. No. I am going to bed.

Which is what I did and enjoyed a good night’s sleep.

Have yourself one great day! I plan to! It will be a return to Key West normalcy. A hair cut with Lori, lunch at Paradise Cafe, coffee at the Coffee House, the Chart room tonight and on and on!

It’s cold in Utica, New York!

It was 68 degrees at noon yesterday. Hit the low 70s in the afternoon.

It is around 3 in the morning now. And cold it is! The temperature has to be somewhere in the 60s.

No need for air conditioning here!

Summers are short in upstate New York. Pool weather is genrally from July 4th thru Labor Day. I used to close my pool the day after Labor Day.

The leaves start to change color around August 15th. I noticed yesterday that some were already changing. A week early! The cold July here must have contributed to the acceleration.

Leaves are starting to fall also. Not many. But enough to be noticable.

I leave for the airport at 8:30 to return to Key West. It will be a long day. I do not get into Key West till 8:30 tomorrow night.

I will be doing a lot of book reading on the way back.

Talk with you tomorrow…..

I am in upstate New York.

Flew up yesterday.

This was the first time I was able to use the new departure portion of the Key West airport. Huge! Impressive!

Only one negative. The seats are very uncomfortable. Can’t have everything, I guess!

I flew Delta. Two flights. Key West to Atlanta. Atlanta to Syracuse. 5 1/2 hours. Even stayed on the same plane. A bonus.

The plane was full for both flights.

I think the seats have gotten smaller. Or pushed closer. My knees were in my throat on both flights.

I had dinner with my 95 year old father last night. It was good to see him, to spend some time with him.

He recently sold his home of 68 years. Moved into some sort of new senior facility. Nice! His condo is large. Situated out in the country. We sat on his patio for a while and talked.

Many of his neighbors walked by. Every one friendly. Many in wheelchairs or using walkers. And who had taken a fall! Every one had a story. Even my father. He is wearing a cast for a broken wrist suffered when he fell a couple of weeks ago.

The weather has finally turned here. July was cold. It was warm last night. About 80 degrees.

We were situated in a heavily wooded area. No palm trees. I missed Key West.

A simple day. The highlight of course being my visit with Dad.

What awaits me today?

I am up very early. Like around 4:30 in the morning. I have to catch an early plane north. Visiting my 95 year old father and taking care of some business. I will return Thursday. The trip is a quickie.

Last night was fun!

Marty was back! Always a joy!

We met at the Chart Room. Chatted with Captain Peter and Che and Michael the bartender.

I suggested dinner at the bar at the new Brazilian restaurant. We had a drink. Rather, I had a drink. Marty did not like the bar menu and left almost immediately for La Trattoria. I stayed to finish my drink.

In came Brain and Amy. I had met them a month ago at Hot Tin Roof. It was Brian’s 35th birthday last night. They were celebrating.

Amy works at the Conch House on Truman. She told me again they have the best home made banana bread for breakfast. And invited me again to stop in for some!

Chris and Rebecca were also sitting at the bar. They are visiting from St. Augustine. Said they come here often. Chris is an archeologist and Rebecca works for Estee Lauder.

I mentioned to Chris that my son in law was an archeologist at Mel Fisher Museum. I did not mention his name. Chris said…Corey Malcom. He knew of him. He did not know him. However, he made the point that he intended to meet him this week. And then he proceeded to tell me how big Corey was in their field.

I was impressed. I should not have been. I knew.

Corey is well respected in his area of expertise. He is a guest lecturer all over the country and is featured on the History Channel every 3-4 months.

I finally got away and hurried to La Trattoria.

Marty was just being served. So much for waiting for me!

He was seated next to a lovely young lady. Turns out it was my friend Lee Ann. The last time I had seen her was about 2 months ago when my daughter Lori was visiting. And at La Trattoria at that time, also!

So I sat on the other side of Lee Ann. And had a wonderful evening conversing with her!

Enough for now. I have to move fast. My next blog will be from upstate New York.

I hope my flights are all on time!

Strange day yesterday.

I spent the day in bed watching TV. Never got up till around 6 in the evening.

Started with Meet the Press. Nothing spectacular. Larry Sommers was boring. Did ruffle things a bit by not rulling out a tax increase for the middle class. If one did occur, it would cause a major public relations problem for the President. Shades of Bush 1 and read my lips.

Then I got hooked on 3 successive reruns of the Sopranos. I never saw the show the first time around.

Finally, golf! The Buick open. Tiger Woods won! I am an addict when it comes to watching golf on TV.

I finally got up, showered and shaved.

The Gardens was my first stop. Again, Kate Miano is to be complimented on the fine job she has done with the resort. And Sunday night jazz is fun time, big time!

Dinner was at the bar at La Trattoria.

The Golden Girls showed up and sat next to me. Jean and Debbie were enjoying their Sunday. I spoke at length with Debbie and got first hand her Mel Fisher experience. Changed both Debbie and Jean’s lives! How exciting!

Bill and Lynda Freschettte were having dinner at La Trattoria also. Lynda properly chastised me. She recently had knee surgery and she and her husband celebrated their anniversary. I had failed to aknowledge either. I told her I did not know. She said she wrote about both events in her news letter. I thought I read it every day. Perhaps not. A screw up.

So Lynda, I apologize. Glad you are up and walking about. And to both you and Bob, belated anniversary greetings!

Now stop beating me up!

I was home early to bed. Slept well. I am up early. There must be something to the adage…early to bed and early to rise, etc.

Still black outside. Probably going to be another great day weather wise. Once you become accustomed to it, the Key West summer is spectacular!

Enjoy your day!

I had a good time yesterday! A very good time!

Don decided to have a pool party. A last minute thing.

Don’s wife Stephanie is still up at their lake home in Indiana. So Don played host. He did a good job!

Nancy and Mike showed up. So did Dan and Cindy. David. Larry and Christine. And me!

The pool party was a good idea. We used to take turns having them several years ago. Then they stopped. People seemed to have tired of them.

Not yesterday. The pool party was great!

Picture it. Several adults floating around a pool. Drinking, of course. And conversing.

It was a heavy humid day. The pool water was cool and refreshing. After leaving it, your body had cooled down sufficiently so that the humidity was no longer an issue. Terrific!

Interesting people floating around. Crazy conversations. Almost as good as the Chart Room.

Nancy and Michael are from the upstate New York Batavia area. Nancy was a college hippy in days gone boy. Particpated in the demonstrations of the 1960s. And proud of it! She helped to change the national thinking of those days.

Nancy used to be general mangaer at Fast Buck Freddies. Don became aware of her talents. Now she is general manager at Don’s Place. Runs it all! The indoor bar, the outdoor bar and the liquor store!

Michael has been invovlved in the restaurant business one way or another since his early school days. Even while in the military. He was a mess sergeant. Now he tends bar at Don’s Place. He does the early morning shift. Starts at 7 am. Actually unlocks the door.

Michael says they are waiting in line to get in. Some even take cabs. It is a breakfast club!

Don says he does his best business is from 7 am to 11 am each morning. Breaskfast club memebrs are good customers!

David impressed me! He is son in law to Michael and Nancy. He is the general manager of Fat Tuesdays. That place where you get those fancy cool thick mixed drinks. Like pina colodas.

I was absolutely impressed to hear David speak of what goes into running a place like Fat Tuesdays. A smart young man. He has a great business future ahead of him!

Dan works at Don’s liquor store. Cindy is his wife. The two of them should be a stand up comedy act. They reminded me of George Burns and Gracie Allen. Except that the rolls were reversed. Cindy is George and Dan is Gracie. Great one liners back and forth!

Larry is Larry! Of Pier house and Wine Galley fame.

He was showing us the large bruise/cut on the top of his head.

Larry and Christine have a lovely home. It has a very small pool in the back. I would describe it as just a bit larger than a dip pool. It does have depth. Six feet at one end.

Larry decided to suddenly swim. A swimming pool it is not. He projected himself into the wall of the pool. And got a bloody head as a result thereof.

Christine is a charming person. A school teacher for many years. She was Teacher of the Year several years ago. I always enjoy Christine’s company. A sincere good woman! Lovely, also!

Christine is a woman of many talents. She sings professionally around town. She also paints. Watercolors. And they are starting to sell! Good for you, Christine!

Don is Don. We all know and love Don.

The pool party was to include a cookout. Steaks. It was hot! No one really wanted to work in any fashion. So we did Chinese take out. The meal was delicious. There was no preparation and the clean up was easy.

That was my Saturday.

I was home in bed around 7. Watched TV. Fell asleep early. And slept well!

It is Sunday morning. A terrific day! Meet the Press, the Sunday papers, the Gardens tonight and the grand children in between.

Life is good!

Hope it is good for you also today!

Yesterday was a nice day! But then again, all Key West days can be described that way!

I stayed in bed late. I am hooked on reruns of West Wing.

Then a light lunch and read the papers at the Yacht Club.

Ran some more errands. Not difficult to do. When you live on an island only 1 1/2 miles by 4 miles, everything is close!

Visited grandchildren Robert and Ally for a while. Love them!

Then to Borders for some book reading. What would I do without Borders! I tried the public library. However, the chairs there are not comfortable. So Borders has become Louis’ public library!

Last night began as usual with the Chart Room.

I ran into Catain Peter in the parking lot of the Pier House. He was locking up his bike. Peter has been suffering for a few days with the gout. Did he have a big toe! Plus he has new blood pressure medication. Between the two, Peter was not physically in the best of shape. One thing about Peter however, his mind is always the same! Sharp! Our Captain Peter is one good guy and a pleasure to be around!

After a week of no shows, the round table was full. David, Sheila, Jean, Peter and Louis. As usual, good crazy conversation.

Jean’s friend Stephanie stopped by for a drink. The two were going to dinner across the street at Hot Tin Roof.

Stephnaie works with the homeless. She also writes a weekly blog. Stephanie is a shoe nut. She weaves her love of shoes together with the problems of the homeless. I am anxious to read her blog. However I was drinking and drank afterwards, and for the life of me cannot recall the identity of the blog site. I have written Jean asking her to provide me with it.

As I was leaving the Chart Room, Marty telephoned. He has deserted me this past week! He is home in Hallendale. He was concerned I had not mentioned him in the blog all week. I told him…out of sight, out of mind! You left. Who needs you!

Only kidding. Marty returns to Key West Sunday night.

Dinner was at the bar at La Trattoria.

Erin bartending. Beecha hosting.

Love Beecha. Beautiful and charming. Always a warm word.

Christopher and Patrick came in for dinner and sat next to me. They own Antonia’s.

Christopher has lost tons of weight. At least half a body. Looks terrific!

I find it interesting that the owners of 3 of the finest restaurants in Key West round robin each other when dining out. The owners of Antonia’s, La Trattoria and Michael’s all dine out at each other’s places of business. Speaks well for the respect each has for the other’s food!

It was still early so I stopped at Don’s place. No more alcohol for me, however. Just a diet Pepsi.

Don was there. We talked quite a while. Kurt bartending. He joined in some of our conversations.

Then home to bed.

Enjoy the day!

The mini lobster season ended yesterday. It lasts all of 2 days. A teaser. Excites everyone. And then it’s over!

The report is that the Florida lobster season will be a good one. The bounty is plentiful.

The lobsters are captured by snorkeling. A person floats along the top of the water, spots a tentacle sticking out from under a rock and dives. The diver generally has a poker stick in hand. A 2 or 3 foot metal stick. Shoves it under the rock. The lobster jumps out. It is scooped up in a gloved hand and taken up to the boat.

Fun!

The mini season has a limit of 6 per person. Most people abide by the rule. Some are pigs however and go in and out with the boat so more can be captured. Does not make sense to me. The lobsters will always be under the water. The season is around the corner. Fresh catch is the best. And look at all the fun that can be had by additional trips diving for them.

Brain and Lori were at the Chart Room last night. Tourists. From San Diego. First time for her here. Brian was briefly in Key West 10 years ago.

We talked of many things. One was La Costa, the health spa located outside San Diego.

I shared my experiences with William Holden, Rodney Dangerfield and Evil Knevil whom I met there. Lori recently spent a day at La Costa. With Gwen Paltrow. Wow! I would have been happy to swap my Holden, Dangerfield and Knevil for her one Paltrow!

It was lobster day all around. I stopped at Kelley’s for the Thursday night Maine lobster special. So good!

Fred Tillman was at the bar with his wife. We chatted for a few minutes. Not only does he own Kelley’s, he is also a neighbor here in Key Haven.

It was still early. So I opted to stop at Don’s Place on the way home.

Kurt was bartending. One of the best guys in the world!

Rob and Beebe were at the bar. Friends and bocci team mates.

I have not seen Beebe in a while. A special woman! Always a smile! Always a kind word! Always a hug and kiss!

Beebe has worked at the Hyatt for over 20 years. She is assistant to the general manager. All 10 previouis ones! It is called staying power. She also is a Notary Public. Which in Key West means she can legally marry people. Which she does!

We talked of bocci. The last season was terrible. Rob and I are measuredly hopeful for the new one which starts in 2 weeks. Beebe, ever the optimist, says the season will be great!

We shall see!

The days continue to be humid. The nights not so bad. The worst is yet to come! August is hotter and Septemebr even more hot. Sweat is the order of the day! Few clothes as possible are worn!

The best way to describe the inceasing intensity of the heat is to describe the ocean water. The ocean this time of the year is like bath water. Warm!

Have a good day!

Yesterday was a tough golf day in more ways than one!

It was the humidity! The worst I have ever experienced!

Some one told me last night that the heat factor was over a 100. I believe it.

It was especially unbearbale on the holes where the trees blocked the minimal wind that was out on the course. The air was heavy. Breathing was an occasional problem.

I wear a hat when I play. For two reasons. The first is to prevent sun stroke. The second is to absorb my brow sweat. Yesterday there was no absorbtion factor. I could feel the salty sweat constantly flowing into my eyes. My eyes were burning the whole round.

When we finished playing, I went into the men’s room to wash up. I looked in the mirror. My eye balls were bright red! Fire engine red!

I played with Don, Yankee Jack, Larry and Randy. All four played terrific. I played lousy. I ended up the big loser!

I spent the afternoon in my darkened bedroom. The air conditioning was blasting away. I had to crawl under the covers to keep warm. It felt good!

Last night Don and I had drinks and dinner together at the Yacht Club. A good evening!

Don is a first class business man. He runs Don’s Place with anal precision. And for that, he is successful.

Don came to Key West from Buffalo where he was a newspaper executive. He was with a newspaper chain outfit whose name escapes me.

Whatever he brought to that job and whatever he learned at that job, he has interejected into the running of Don’s Place.

After dinner, we stopped at Don’s Place for a night cap.

I was home in bed before 10.

Yesterday was the start of the mini losbster season. A big deal!

For 2 or 3 days each year at this time, the government permits diving for lobsters.

The boats were going out like crazy yesterday morning. It is an event! Some of the boats were overloaded. It reminded me of that scene in Jaws where all the boats, big and small alike, went out to capture the shark. Most of the boats were overloaded. So it was yesterday!

There are thieves out there also.

The mini season starts at midnight. Divers with dark water suits and tanks swim along in front of homes on the water. They are capturing the lobsters that lie in the rocks beneath our docks. A couple of times over the years I have gone out in the middle of the night with a flash light. As one of these scoundrels would swim by, I flashed the light on him. They would look up with startled expressions and abruptly swim away.

It is called stealing! All of us own 25 feet out from the shoreline. The lobsters are within the first 5 feet.

I can feel the humidity already this morning. It is blowing thru the open window like a blast furnace. Back to the air conditioning!

Enjoy your day!