Strange day yesterday! But a good one!

A Louis day!

I slept late. Always good.

I had a haircut appointment at 11. Lori is on a month’s vacation. So her partner did my hair.

My hair is cut short. Very short. Shorter than a crew cut. A step away from being totally bald.

Lori’s partner almost went that final step! I walked out of the hair shop a cross between a bald headed Bruce Willis and some one in a concentration camp!

I stopped at Lisa’s. The grandkids were having lunch. So I had lunch with them. Robert and Ally are now 5 and 4 respectively and converse well. Always interesting!

The family had been to a yard sale earlier. Robert is a Space Wars freak. There was a big black helmet for sale. The helmet talked in the gruff way those bad guys did. All one had to do was press a button.

Robert got excited when he saw it! The people running the yard sale ended up selling it to Robert for $.25! Nice people. Thrilled Robert no end!

He had to scare me with it while I was having lunch!

I then went home for a while to watch the British Open on TV. Go Watson!

My past week had been rough. I decided to screw off over the weekend. Be nice to Louis!

So I opted for a manicure and pedicure. It was time for both.

I fell asleep during the pedicure.

When I returned home, Lisa, Corey and the grandkids came over to swim. My grandchildren are fish in the water!

Speaking of fish, another shark has been spotted! A whale shark. About 25 feet long. It is sitting off Marathon in the low water. The experts say the shark is there because of the the change in tides. Whale sharks feed off small fish. Just open their mouths and gulp them in. There is a spot off Marathon where the little ones move through by the thousands.

It has been suggested that whale sharks can be dangerous. Son in law Corey says no! They are only interested in tiny fish. He has observed many in his dives and he claims they were of no concern. Each basically ignorred the other and went about their own businesses.

My heart could not handle it!

After they left, I sat down to watch some TV. It was Saturday night. I am always out on Saturday night. Not last night! For some reason, I decided to stay in. Made myself a small dinner. Had a drink with it. And then off to bed for a good night’s sleep.

The British Open is on already. Watching it is how I will spend this Sunday morning.

Enjoy your Sunday, also!

Yesterday was my son John’s 50th birthday! Happy birthday son!

I remember when he was born 50 years ago. We were living in Syracuse. It was the summer before my senior year in law school.

John was to be our first born.

His mother got the pains and we were off and running to the hospital. However, she did not want to go directly. We had to make a stop. She said she was hungry. Actually, she was scared.

We stopped on Erie Boulevard at a greasy burger joint. She had a cheeseburger and chocolate shake. She ate in the car.

Obviously she did not keep the goodies down long. It was a first time effort and who knew.

We arrived at the hospital and my wife was taken from me. In those days, husbands were not permitted to remain with their laboring wives. A barbaric thing in retrospect.

I was left waiting on the first floor and his mother was taken to the fourth floor to do her thing.

Many hours later John was born. When the nurse showed him to me, his head was pointed. Really! Iasked her about it. No problem she said. It was the forceps. And she took her hand and pushed his forehead down into normal position.

John was beautiful. I was proud of him!

His mother did not look as good. I felt bad for her.

I stayed a while and then left. I had to go to work. I was a milk man. In those days, people had milk delivered to there homes. It was not purchased in a store. And the milk came in glass bottles. Only quart size. The cream was on top. It had to be shaken to blend into the body of milk below it.

I drove a truck loaded with cases of milk. Drove standing up. I was at the dock at the usual starting time that morning. 4:15. Loading my truck. And telling everyone about my son!

We named our son John after my father. My father is still with us and 95 years old. Yesterday, on grandson John’s 50th birthday, my father fell. Broke his nose and wrist.

He’s OK, except for the discomfort. He was returned home last night and we talked. There is a birthday party for John today and my father’s concern was that he would be unable to shake hands with guests. Love the man!

Have a good day!

Good morning world!

I overslept. Rarely do. Awoke at 8. Normally up around 5. It is now close to 11.

I have been doing some law work the past 2 days. Had to finish this morning. That is why I am so late writing today.

I spent all day yesterday working. From 7 am to 5 pm. Did not stop even for lunch. Loved it! I miss legal work!

I was beat, but definitely needed to get out last night for a few drinks.

As usual, I started at the Chart Room. Then over to Kelley’s for dinner. Love Kelley’s thursday night special. Maine lobster with all the fixings!

Kelley’s bar was packed. I finally got a seat next to a lovely lady. Tall, tanned and blond.

Her name was Susan. She has lived in keys for 30 years. She has been a realtor for last 15. Sells houses from Big Pine to Key West. She lives on Little Torch Key.

She was there for the Maine lobster also.

Turned out to be a fun time! Susan is as intelligent as she is lovely. Our conversation covered a multitude of items. From religion to swimming to the economy to love.

I hope I run into Susan again. She was good company!

Enjoy your day!

I never left the house yesterday!

I had some paperwork to do. Spent the whole day and part of the evening doing it!

Except for an occasional step out onto the deck, I spent the day at my kitchen counter plugging away.

Today may be the same…..

A real quiet day yesterday!

I am hooked on the Sotomayor confirmation hearings.

I am impressed witht the Judge. Very!

Her responses to inquiring questions, if they may be called such, are thought out and to the point. Her knowledge of the law impressive. She is not and has not been a loose cannon while on the bench. She believes in the rule of law and seems to have always applied it, regardless of the result.

And that is the way it is supposed to be!

When I practiced law, I never liked appearing before a Judge who was a loose cannon. Clients were entrusting me with their cases because I was supposedly knowledgable and good. That meant I knew the law and generally could predict the result even before I walked into the court room.

That preassumed the Judge knew the law also and would follow it. Not always the case. If the Judge deviated fromt the law for whatever reason, my client and I were in trouble. If the Judge was by the book, as with Sotomayor, then we were OK.

Senator Lindsay nailed Judge Sotomayor with some negative comments made about her by attorneys who had appeared before her. He had apparently obtained the information off a web site. Made Sotomayor sound like a tyrant on the bench!

Last night one of the political talk shows said that Lindsay’s information came from an internet site evaluating judges by having attorneys write in. Sotomayor had no problem the past several years. However, since her nomination by Obama, the site had been flooded with negative comments about her.

American politics at play!

I had dinner with Lisa and the family last night.

Perogis! I have not had them in years. They were terrific!

Robert enjoyed them as I did. Ally not. She refused to eat them. That left more for Robert and me!

Afterwards Robert, Ally and I played cards. They won! I lost! They have become very good at this game called 8s! And, of course, they delight it beating me!

Other than dinner at Lisa’s, I never went out last night. Did not have a drink, either.

What a good boy was I!

I am up early this morning. the black of night is now turning gray. Key West mornings are great! Sort of seductive the way the sun sneaks up on you!

Slept late this morning!

Sun already up! Bright! No breeze. Palm tree just standing there. Water not moving.

And humid!

I walked the waterfront yesterday morning. Trying to get back into good health!

Parked my car at Paradise Cafe. Then walked over to the water. My route took me by Dante’s, the back side of Half Moon, along Turtle Kraal, the backside of Waterfront Market, along Schooner’s Wharf, outside the Conch Republic, by Alonzo’s, across the street to the Galleon, around the Galleon dock and then back again along the same route in reverse.

A good solid 30 minute fast walk!

I was soaking wet from the walk. Bought a bottle of water at Paradise and sat and read the papers. Later I had lunch at Paradise. Cuban toast with melted cheese and tomato. The best!

Then to Borders for some book reading. I glanced through a work on pre Castro Cuba. What a place!

The question presently is two fold. Will Cuba ever be fully open again to U.S. citizens? What will be the impact on Key West?

Many here in Key West believe the opening is coming. And soon! And that Key West will benefit economically!

We shall see.

I stopped into the Chart Room last night. I was all alone by the telephone. The bar was empty!

Peter had already been in and gone. I called Marty on the cell. He was in Miami.

So I was alone!

Two tourusts came in and saved me. Andy and Anikue.

Andy and Anikue are from Brooklyn. Their fifth visit to Key West. They love it! They have always stayed at the Pier House.

Andy is a paramedic at a New York hospital emergency room. He runs the whole operation. Five emergency vehicles and a staff of 50 odd persons. A big responsible job!

I learned a lot about ambulance work and paramedic activity. Whether a trauma, heart attack or whatever, these people are our immediate initial chance for survival!

Anikue (that is her name!) was an attractive lady! As lovely as her name! Her job is the most important of all. She is a stay at home Mom of 3! And proud of it!

My dinner was wings at Kelley’s bar. Good, as usual!

Then home to an early bed.

I have a screw off day in the making! Nothing on my plate! Good!

I hope you can squeeze some do nothing time into your day!

A quiet Sunday yesterday!

Hung out at home. Read. Watched golf on TV. Lisa, Corey and the grandkids came over to swim.

A Chart Room group dinner last night. Marty, Captain Peter, Sheila and I dined together. Good people! Good company!

Then Marty and I went over to the Pier House’s Wine Galley. Larry Smith’s Sunday Showcase!

Larry has done it again! He discovers new talent and develops that person!

This time it is Patricia Tennyson.

Patricia is a lovely 25 year old. Mother of two. A student.

And a singer!

Listening to her was an experience.

On the way out of the Pier House, I stopped into the Chart Room to say good night to Sheila. I could see her sitting at the bar. I had left her elsewhere 2 hours earlier after dinner.

Sheila was chatting with Gary and Jane. She introduced me.

Gary and Jane are visiting from Australia.

It never ceases to amaze me. Key West is a magnet drawing people from all over the world.

Such was my Sunday. Nothing dramatic. But overall good!

Enjoy your day!

Love early gray mornings!

Just as the sun starts peeking over the horizon.

A strong wind this morning. The lone palm tree outside my window is bending a bit.

Key West has several weekly newspapers. One is the KEYNOTER. Yesterday’s publication carried an article on local bloogers. One of them was me. My reporter friend Sean Kinney wrote it. The article even has a picture of me. www.keysnet.com.

I walked yesterday morning. Like days of old. I have gained 10 pounds. Time to get rid of it.

It was hot. Hot hot! Humid!

I walked from the Atlantic to the Gulf and back. Fast. 40 minutes. Soaking wet when done!

Then to Lisa’s to visit the grandchildren and have lunch. A small turkey sandwich. A good boy was I!

Last night was fun company at the Chart Room. Marty, Captain Peter, Sean, Kathleen and Sheila.

Dinner was at the bar at La Trattoria with Marty. I left him there enjoying Erin’s company and headed home.

I decided to stop at the strip club/gentlmen’s club Bare Assets for a nightcap on the way home. The last time I was there was about 6 months ago. Viewing the bare assets of the opposite sex is always a pleasurable thing.

One drink and three pole dances later, I was back in my car and on my way home. The one thought in my mind was what a sad way for these women to earn a living!

Today is Sunday. Love Sundays! I can read all the newspapers!

Very relaxing!

Till tomorrow…..

Son in law Corey Malcom is Director of Archeology at the Mel Fisher Museum. He has been at the Museum for over 25 years. His life is the ocean and that which exists beneath its surface.

Turtles were once a big business in Key West. There was a turtle factory on the docks near the present Turtle Kraal Restaurant.

Either the turtle population diminished or interest in turtle as a food diminished. In any event, the turtle factory ceased as such many years ago. At one time in recent years, a rough sort of turtle mueum was at the site. Recently there has been nothing. Just an empty building.

The remaining factory structure is not too large. About 20 feet by 50 feet. Four sides of shake shingle wood with a roof. Four windows. Sits on a dock over the water.

Mel Fisher Museum has agreed to lease the old turtle factory building for 5 years. A new turtle mueum will be opened. Corey will be responsible for its operation.

Last night Corey held a gathering at the site of the new turtle museum. The whole world turned out! Over 200 people. They could not all fit into that 50 x 20 structure at one time. So a second show had to be scheduled for 2 hours after the first.

The building was packed! Like sardines in a can! And hot! Remember only 4 windows. And humid as hell outside besides!

As the evening progressed, the water was running off me! My shirt was soaking wet at the end. I had to have lost 5 pounds!

However, the event was terrific! Worth suffering through!

Besides turtle turtle talk last night, Corey was excited about a movie he had discovered and after much anguish was able tobtain a copy of for showing.

The movie was Carib Gold. Made in 1955. Had to do with shrimp fishing in Key West at time.

In his comments leading up to the movie, Corey said the film was probably the worst edited film he had ever seen. He was correct! What a mess! It may also be the worst movie overall ever made.

However, the movie was made in Key West and showed Key West as it was in 1955. And that was its importance.

Nothing much has changed much from 1955 till today. Other than Key West is now larger.

There was Sloppy Joe’s, Duval Street, the Strand Theatre, the Harbor, Fleming Street. Interesting to see.

The film had quite a cast.

Etherl Waters starred. She was a big time black actress and blues and jazz singer. She has been dead at least 30 years now. A large heavy set woman with white hair. She received a 1949 Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Pinky. Some of you might remember her as Beaulah the house kepper in the famous TV show of long ago.

Cicely Tyson was in the movie, also. Her first! She had a supporting role. She was 22 at the time. Now, 76. Tyson also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. In 1972 for her performance in Sounder.

The actor who excited me the most was Coley Wallace! I recognized him immediately when I saw his face.

Wallace played Joe Louis in a film about Louis’ life made in the 1950s. He looks just like Joe Louis!

Coley Wallace had somewhat of an interesting carreer both in sports and acting.

He was an amateur boxer. Perfect to play Joe Louis! He also boxed Rocky Marciano for real at one time in his career. Marciano subsequently became one of the biggest and most popular heavyweight champions.

However, before Marciano boxed professinally, he was an amateur. As an amateur, he made it to the finals of the New York Golden Glove Tournament. And guess who he fought? Yes, Coley Wallace! And Wallace beat the future world champion in a three rounder!

Wallace was in another big hit movie boxing film. Raging Bull. The story of Jake La Motta. Robert di Niro played La motta. Wallace played the famous French fighter Marcel Cerdan.

Such was my night last night! A good one! Except for the heat, of course!

When I left, I went straight to the first bar I could find. Not for booze! For water! I was dehydrated!

Have good day! Do something nice for some one!

Good mornig!

I slept late!

It is after 8!

Another beautiful Key West day!

Most mornings I am up while it is still dark. As I write the blog, the day begins. Not today. The day is up in all its glory!

Obama is on television. He is speaking from Italy. He better return home! The wolves are nipping at his heels and the vultures are swooping! The next few months are going to require Obama the Politician. Energy and health care are two vital issues important to this country. It is going to require all of his talents to get these programs passed.

I watch Obama and I wonder why any one would want to be President. I have also had this thought with previous Presidents. So many issues. So many problems. How does any one handle all of them?

Obama’s plate is full! It is spilling over!

Pleasant lunch yesterday. Sean and I went to Hogfish. Great place! A Florida keys place! Thatched roof! Open air! Shrimp boats in the background!

What a place for lunch! What a life!

Last night Sean was at the Chart Room. With his mother Mary who is visiting. A nice lady! We did a round table with Marty, Captain Peter and several others.

Marty took me out for my birthday last night. I wanted to go to Kelley’s. I heard they had a Thursday night Maine lobster special for $19.95. And so we went.

What a great meal! 1 1/4 pound lobster, salt potatoes, corn on the cob.

I have not had Maine lobster in 3 years. I like it so much better than Florida lobster. Florida lobster tends to be tougher and lacking in taste. It has to be dressed up when cooked. Whereas Maine lobster merely boiled/steamed is tender and sweet.

Lovely Erica and Chris bartending. Bob having a drink at the bar.

Kelley’s is a pleasant Key West atmosphere.

Ironically I woke in the middle of the night. Had trouble going back to sleep. Flipped on the TV. There was Kelley Mc Gillis of Top Gun fame!

Kelley was a top movie star in the ’80s and 90’s. She still does an occasional film.

Fred Tillman presntly owns Kelley’s Restaurant. Fred and Kelley Mc Gillis were married during Kelley’s big time star film days. They lived in Key West! Opened Kelley’s Rerstaurant. Bought another restaurant. Then they divorced. Fred got the restaurants. Kelley moved to Pennsylvannia.

While they both lived here, they were both a part of the community. I recall attending many functions and parties with them.

Another part of interesting Key West lore!

Enjoy your day!