New York drops the ball at midnight every New Year’s Eve. An American tradition. One to be proud of. 

Key West has its own dropping New Year’s Eve. Actually, five. A Key West tradition. Which we are equally proud of.

I list the five. To inform. If you are out and about at midnight, make plans to view one. A fun event!

—–The shoe drop with Christopher Peterson at the Bourbon St. Pub.

—–The gigantic conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe’s.

—–The Historic Seaport/Schooner Wharf Bar pirate wench drop. Schooner Wharf Bar owner Evalena Worthington the wench. She is dropped from the mast of the tall America 2.0 ship.

—–The landing of a replica Pan Am 1927 aircraft with a costumed flight attendant at First Flight Restaurant.

—–A key lime pie wedge splashing down into a larger than life margarita glass at Ocean Key’s Sunset Pier.

Today’s podcast a real oldie. Six or seven years. Concerns Trump, the Paris Accord and pollution. I was upset when I did the podcast. Trump really irritated me in this one.

Ukraine’s President Zelensky came to Washington with his hand out and returned home with it empty. He was here to convince Congress to approve the $64 billion Biden had recommended. Republicans have been stalling approval of the request. Acting un-American in so doing. Trump and his MAGA supporters opposing the need. Failure to provide the monies could vey well lead to a Putin victory.

If the U.S. fails in this instance, we will look extremely unreliable in the eyes of the world. It will be another example of “our word” no longer can be depended upon.

Italy’s record in World War II was dismal, with one exception. Italy’s treatment of Jews.

Mussolini and a majority of Italians rejected Hitler and Goebbels’s desire to destroy the Italian Jewish population. Italy protected those of the Jewish faith in Italy itself and in Tunis and occupied France. The Italians refused to draft Jews for work or compel them to wear the Star of David. Further, Italy refused to deport Jews from Italy or Italian occupied Croatia and France to Auschwitz.

Gender issues are moving in a somewhat radical and too swift manner.

An example is a Seattle high school student. In a recent quiz, two  true/false questions give credence to the statement. One query: “Only women can get pregnant.” The student answered “true.” The other, “All men have penises.” The student answered “true.’

Both answers were marked “incorrect” by the teacher. Such ultimately led to the student receiving an F grade on the quiz.

The student’s parents are upset. They feel politics is coming into the classroom. The gender issue affecting their son’s responses a perfect example.

Bad guys, dirty pool! What is going on? How far will Trump MAGA followers go in attempting to debase opposing candidates?

More than a step too far happened to Joe Biden at the Army-Navy football game saturday. A video posted on Instagram (direct link, archive link) shows spectators chanting: “Fuck Joe Biden!”

Fact checking proved the video had been altered. The anti-Biden statement was digitally added. The original video shows the crowd singing along to a song.

Enjoyed Happy Hour at the Grand Cafe yesterday. Packed! Steve, Cindy, Joe, Jean, Eddie, Christina and I can’t recall who else. Good company all!

I mentioned yesterday that as part of the Grand’s 21st year in business, entrées were free all day to everyone. I was wrong. Not everyone, only locals. The half price on drinks and appetizers continues however to all. Tourists as well as locals.

The weatherman said it was going to rain today. It is. Appears it will do so till this evening.

Enjoy your day!

Missouri Republicans refuse to give up the battle when it comes to abortion. Their latest move is proposing legislation which would allow women who receive abortions to be charged with murder.

Cold during the night. Temperature dropped to 66 degrees. Still 66 at 7 am as I write. High today will be 74. The cut-off point for we locals, most of whom who will feel chilled at that number.

My game plan was to go out for dinner last night. Never made it. Got hung up on a modern movie version of Shakespeare’s Tempest. Filmed in 1982. A great cast: John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Susan Sarandon, Victorio Gassman and Molly Ringwald. Most scenes filmed on a Greek isle. The pressures of life a key theme.

This was Molloy Ringwald’s first movie. She played a teenager. Later went on to major filmdom success. My recollection was a movie called Sixteen kicked her into the category. She attempted a comeback in later years as a stage actor. I recall watching her perform here in Key West some 20 years ago during that time.

Though not her first, Susan Sarandon was a young Susan Sarandon. I apparently never saw her in those days. An absolute beauty! Magnificent eyes!

Yogi Berra quotes more humorous than accurate. One of his has the ring of truth in it, though not intended as such when made: “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.”

Today’s podcast some 6 years old. Made following a Trump visit to Key West.

Sears has only 12 stores left in the United States.

Richard Sears and Alvin Roebuck started Sears in 1892. In its early years, it was primarily a catalogue company. By 1969, it was the largest retailer in the world. Five years later, it moved into Sears Tower in Chicago.  The Tower at 110 stories was the tallest building in the world. Today, only 12 stores remain. Why? The way of the world. Walmart, Amazon, and poor management.

Liz Cheney speaks words of wisdom when it comes to Donald Trump. She keeps ringing the alarm. Are people listening?

She is now contending that if Trump was back in the White House, his election would be our last election.

Climate change a major issue world wide today. The first ever international climate change meeting took place this day in 1915 in Paris. The group adopted the first global pact to fight climate change, calling on the world to cut and eliminate greenhouse gas pollution. 

Obviously the agreement did not work well at all. No sanctions were imposed on countries that did not comply. We are still waging the battle more than 100 years later.

Grandson Robert Malcom published another interesting article re FSU football on December 10. A story re an official visit to FSU and commit by Turner Hickman as a future Seminole. NoleGameday.com.

For those of us who recall, two famous singers of yesteryear have birthdays today. Connie Francis is 86, Dionne Warwick 83.

Tonight, the Grand Cafe at 4 for Happy Hour. Everything half price. The entire menu. Part of the Grand’s thank you and in celebration of their many years of service.

Enjoy your day!

By day, yesterday was excellent.

Sloan and I had a worthwhile 2 hours working on the podcasts. Hopefully we have things down pat now.

Spent two comfortable hours at Higgs Beach in the afternoon again. Overcast. Still comfortable. Nothing like sitting by the ocean. The sounds and smell of the water.

The evening sucked, however. Did not let it bother me. The afternoon was still in me and I refused to let anything spoil it.

It started with dinner. I decided to be good to myself. An excellent dinner. Selected Antonia’s. Closed. Pitch black inside. Strange, I thought. Closed on a sunday evening? Tons of people walking Duval. Other restaurants and bars doing a bang up business. Opted for La Trattoria. Same problem. Closed. What the hell?

Understand, I had already overwalked. Returned to my car. My right leg killing me.

Refused to let the closings get me down. Pepe’s popped into mind. I had not been there in a while. A broiled half chicken would be my meal.

Found a parking spot. People crowded outside and in waiting for a seat in Pepe’s. I asked the hostess if there were any seats at the bar. She said yes. So I plodded through the crowd. No seats available at the bar.

Where next? Decided on the Boat House. A bit of a walk. My other leg joining the right one in pain. Made it, however.

In all my Key West years, I had never been to the Boat House. The old or new. It was crowded. Found a seat at the bar. Decided I deserved a drink after all the work/walking I had done. I had not had one in 10 days. Beefeater on the rocks. Only one. And a diet Pepsi.

Ordered an appetizer for dinner. Conch fritters. Seven huge ones. Delicious. I was feeling better.

Wanted a second diet Pepsi. Took me 15 minutes to get one. Three young ladies working my section of the bar. They were tied up bullshitting with 4 older gents (younger than me) at one end of the bar. Left me and others sitting without service for the 15 minutes. Pissed me off! Some of my neighbors at the bar, also. Lousy service in the extreme!

I said nothing. I am a good tipper. Not last night. The bill was $27. Normally, I would have left a $10 tip. Left only $3. Came close to leaving nothing.

I will never return to the Boat House.

Yet, my disposition remained ok.

This morning I had a 9:30 appointment with my heart doctor. Two years and I have yet to meet him. We are down to 3 heart doctors in Key West. A nurse practitioner has been caring for me. I have come to respect her talents. Not that I have any choice.

April was not in. No one called me. I corrected the receptionist re no one had when she insisted. Said April would phone me. I insisted on a personal visit another day. Fran came out to give me a hand. She is a nurse who works under and with April. I blew. Couldn’t help it. We agreed she would call me with an appointment for next week with April.

I was not out of the office 10 minutes and getting into my car when the phone rang. A recorded message. April would call me at 11 tomorrow.

I have not dealt with that call yet. Will not have to as it turns out. April just called me. I vented again. She took my abuse and apologized, which made me feel worse. Anyhow, everything back to kumbaya with them. I have the answers April would have given me in a face to face.

I feel like a smuck, however. April has been out of work for 10 days taking care of her elderly father who is sick.

It is cool today. Seventy degrees. High will be 72. No ocean to relax by. 

Today’s podcast goes back to the early days of COVID. Greece was hard hit at the time also. The Greeks are different from us, however. They paid attention to their government. Everything closed down. People remained home. The podcast deals with my friend Theos. Following the podcast is a note I received from another Greek friend Jim Brown. Deals with how the Greek people were handling COVID also. His story similar to Theos’.

Jim Brown from Crete: “Sending Key West Lou best wishes from Crete. Lockdown has been obeyed by the people here. Sadly not earning at the moment. But health before weather as they say.”

“Big trees from little acorns grow.” Applies to goldfish in the Great Lakes where goldfish have physically grown. As large as a busty 18 inches. They are disrupting the ecosystems of the Great Lakes. They now number literally in the tens of millions.

They have become an invasive species. Who would have thought?

An example of the pot calling the kettle black. Donald Trump called Joe Biden a “real threat” to democracy.

The man is mad. The pressure getting to him. He is becoming “more explosive” than ever.

Rudy Giuliani has become equally as crazy as his comrade Donald Trump. Giuliani claims Obama has taken the U.S. back 40 or 50 years on race relations.

I don’t understand that one.

Enjoy your day!

Syracuse/Georgetown was a great game yesterday! Not because Syracuse won. Rather because Syracuse played its best ball of the season so far. Against a competent and able Georgetown team.

Syracuse won 80-68.

Syracuse has improved with each game. Hope they keep improving. Still have a ways to go. However yesterday was the best yet. Syracuse’s defense was effective the entire game. The team’s offense exceptional in the second half.

The defense kept Georgetown’s 3 point shooting the lowest for the season at 19.2 percent.

Syracuse is now 7-3. Their next game next Sunday at 1 pm against Oregon.

An unusual factor I may have advised in an earlier blog also. There was a time that a group of Syracuse fans followed me where ever I was watching the game. Anywhere from 10-20 would show up. It was Syracuse party time!

No more. Yesterday, I was the only Syracuse fan at Jack Flats watching the game.

Florida has always been a haven for sea fish, etc. who become sick in other waters. Sea turtles an example. It happened again. Frigid Cape Cod waters have affected turtles. Especially Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. Fifty two were “cold stunned” and flown to 4 separate turtle facilities in Florida for saving and rehabilitation. Once recovered and Cape Cod waters become suitable to their existence, they will be returned to their natural waters.

In 1867, former Confederacy Presidnet Jefferson Davis stopped in Key West on his way to Havana where “he was going for his health.” He was not a favorite son of the Union at the time.

Actor Ryan O’Neal has died. He was 82 years old. One of his most famous roles was as the sorrowful young husband in Love Story. He received a Best Actor nomination for the part.

I missed the Christmas Boat Parade last night. Don’t feel comfortable doing a boat with the cane. Neither can I stand on shore long with the cane. Legs can’t handle it.

So I missed again what is a great Key West holiday experience. Hope many of you heeded my advice and signed up to be on one of the boats.

Trump is scheduled to testify tomorrow in his own defense in the New York civil fraud case. He will initially be questioned by his own attorneys.

The Army-Navy football game was decided by one inch yesterday. It was the final play of the game. A second or two remaining on the clock.  Navy was on Army’s 2 yard line. A touchdown meant a Navy victory. Come up short and Navy would lose. Everything was “on the line.”

It was 4th down. 

Navy tried a “tush push” quarterback sneak. Came up one inch short. Army won!

Today’s podcast 4 years old. Concerns Trump and Social Security and Medicare.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Yesterday was friday. It was a good day.

It began for me at 5:30 in the morning. I was up and completing research for the day’s blog. Finished around 8:30. Decided to hold off writing until after I had my morning Monkey smoothie fix. It was off to Date & Thyme. Returned 20 minutes later and went to work. Blog finished and published at 11:30. 

A quick light lunch at home.

Decided to go to the beach. A big deal for me. The last time was pre-COVID. As it took me a long time to start going out evenings on a regular basis following COVID, I still had not gotten into the beach routine again.

I needed a beach chair. Lisa gave me one of those big blue ones that only sits upright last Christmas. I no longer can use a sand or lounge chair. Once down, I cannot get up. Lisa’s gift was perfect.

I packed it into the car together with sun tan lotion and lipscope I had purchased earlier in the week. Even bought a new baseball cap to wear in the sun.

It was off to Higgs Beach. Set the chair up at the far end by the wharf that runs out into the ocean. Next to the Casa Marina.

Did not bother oiling up. Though warm, it was overcast. Stayed 1 1/2 hours. Felt good being out there. It was comfortable, the ocean beautiful, the smell of the ocean familiar.

Very few people where I set down. There was a woman about 10 feet off to my side going towards Salute’s. Striking I thought as I set down.

Fifteen minutes later she spoke. Asked me to watch her purse and chair as she wanted to get another glass of wine. Asked if she could get me one or a beer. I declined. Assured her I would not run off with her purse.

When she returned, we spent the next hour chatting. One of those fortuitous meetings. Her name Terri. She is in the process of moving to Key West from Ocean City, Maryland. Attractive, 50ish. A fine dining waitress there. Hopes to get similar employment in Key West. I told her, as I am sure she was well aware, no problem. Key West restaurants are crying for dining room help.

She has already rented an apartment for herself and her two labs.

She returns to Ocean City today to finalize the sale of her home there and other matters. Returns January 15.

Enjoyed Terri’s company. Would enjoy running into her when she returns.

Showered, shaved, etc. and was off to Brady’s Irish Pub and Carola. Pierogi night and Irish sconces baked by Carola.

Met a couple at the bar from northern Ohio. Here for a wedding. The service at St. Mary’s By the Sea, reception at the Hemingway House. They last visited Key West 20 years ago. I told them to read up on the Hemingway House on the internet last night before attending the wedding and reception. So much history with the Hemingway House. It would be a shame to miss any part of it.

Carola gave me two Irish sconces in a plastic bag to take home. Told me to heat and butter up before eating. I could not wait to get home to try one. Microwaved it for 20 seconds and then melted butter on top. To die for! The other I will eat later this morning for breakfast. This one with jam.

Settled into bed to watch a movie. Selected Mama Mia. A terrific musical comedy starring Meryl Streep which hit the movie houses in 2008. Saw it back then. Besides Streep who I greatly admire and enjoy, the site of the film motivated me to watch also. A Greek isle. I am a Greece fanatic. Love the country which I have visited many times for stays as long as two months.

I was not disappointed. The movie had its emotional moments which caused me to shed a tear or two.

My day could not have been better.

Hopefully today will be as good. I started today’s blog at 5 this morning. There will be no time for a Monkey smoothie fix. I have to be at Jack Flats by 11. Syracuse plays Georgetown at 11:30. Want to get a good screen and bar seat.

Should be a good game. The rivalry goes back to 1979. Jim Boeheim and John Thompson the coaches. They literally hated each other from 1979 forward. A real dislike. Not sure exactly why, but it existed. 

Both teams entered the Big East which was formed around that time. I watched most of the Syracuse home games at the new Carrier Dome from 1980 forward, plus games in the Big East end of season tournament for years in Madison Square Garden and NCAA tournament games at season end.

Thompson was so distrustful of Syracuse that when Georgetown played at the Carrier Dome he began the practice of setting up chairs on the court itself during time outs to talk with his players. The message was clear. Syracuse was a cheater.

The bad blood continued for 20 plus years till after Thompson retired. Boeheim and Thompson met at at college basketball coach conference, chatted privately and were bosom buddies from that day forward. The two men literally loved each other.

Thompson died in 2020, Boeheim now retired.

Not sure what else I have on the agenda for today following the game. May do the beach thing again. Everything stored in the car ready to go.

Enjoy your day! Hopefully as much as I enjoyed mine yesterday!

God spoke to me! Not me. House Speaker Mike Johnson.

I mentioned this yesterday. Elaborate on it today.

Speaker Johnson spoke tuesday night at the Museum of the Bible. The press was supposedly barred from certain portions of his talk. It was secretly recorded however by one of the listeners permitted to remain and released to the press.

In it, Johnson said, “I’ll tell you a secret since the media is not here. God talks to me.” God revealed to him that he would be a Moses-like figure leading the GOP and country through a “Red Sea moment.”

Shake in your shoes, my friends. The man is a wacky religious nut. A danger to society as a whole.

Trump has now made himself “Judge” in his own case before Judge Tanya Chutkan re certain of the Judge’s recent rulings. His attorneys filed a motion for an “automatic stay” on Court proceedings in the federal election subversion case against the former President. The motion says that unless Chutkan rules otherwise, Trump’s team will ignore any upcoming deadlines regarding “pretrial motions, defense disclosure relating to trial defenses and evidence, CIPA hearings, and jury selection.”

What Trump has done is to assume the responsibilities of the trial Judge in making these decisions. What balls! There is nothing in the law that permits a defendant to take over how a court will be run. Ultimately, he will expand “his assumed powers” to make himself not only judge, but also fact finder (the jury’s responsibility) and declare himself “not guilty” as to all charges.

Who does Trump think he is? Court rules are made for everyone to abide by. He does not need God to speak to him as Johnson does. He is a lord unto himself and continues to believe he can do what he wants.

Happy Hanukkah!

Hanukkah began last night. This year is a difficult time for persons of the Jewish faith. Anti-Semitism on the rise. Especially in Florida and a war whose effects are being felt far from the Israel/Gaza area.

Jon Rahm has abandoned the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. Why? Simple. A financial package in the $500 million range.

A podcast I made some 5-6 years ago asking the question as to the reason why so many wars were being fought.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attempted to reauthorize the ban on assault weapons. It would have covered certain semi-automatic weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines. Schumer’s motivation was the 39 mass shootings thus far this year alone. A record number.

Wednesday, Republican Senator John Barrasso objected to the proposed ban thereby effectively blocking a vote. His argument: “Americans have a Constitutional right to own a firearm.” He claimed: AR-15s “work the same way as popular shotguns and other rifles used for hunting and personal protection.”

What Barrasso and other Republicans fail to recognize is that Americans have a Constitutional right  to be free from mass killings. AR-15s should only be used in war and not to hunt deer and protect one’s self. Barrasso’s position crazy and dangerous.

Met two new neighbors yesterday. Steve introduced me to them. They live a block away. Chuck and Eloise. They have lived there some 50 years. As long as Steve and Cindy have on Olivia Street.

A great meal last night with Jean and Joe Thornton at Antonia’s. Nothing like great food and company. I particularly enjoyed the snails appetizer.

I was impressed with how packed Antonia’s was. They were turning over the tables. 

Tonight, Brady’s Irish Pub for me. Two reasons. The friday Polish pierogi special and Carola’s Irish scones. Carola is baking the scones special for me. 

Enjoy your day!

World War II, a war never to be forgotten. Necessary to be fought. Japan attacked the U.S. Violently and without warning. Retaliation/retribution correct. Warranted. 

Today is the day the attack occurred. December 7, 1941. In the words of President Franklin Roosevelt, “A date which will live in infamy.” As it has.

The Japanese attack took only 2 hours 20 minutes. Consisted of 2 separate waves, a half hour apart. Nineteen U.S. ships were destroyed or damaged, 188 aircraft blown up, 2,403 killed, and 1,178 wounded. Japan escaped basically unscathed. Lost only 29 aircraft and 5 midget submarines. Only 130 Japanese killed.

We took a beating.

The U.S. comeback began less than 6 months later. We took back Guadalcanal and bombed Tokyo.

Japan’s Admiral Yamamoto planned and led the attack. A comment is attributed to him which some historians question. It makes sense regardless. His words, “I feel all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with terrible resolve.”

Pearl Harbor occurred 82 years ago. We are not the same people. I wonder if our citizenry would react in the same fashion today as it did back then. Would half our people side with the attackers? Our internal rumblings make me fearful.

Another podcast going back 5-6 years. An appropriate title would be Hitler and Goebbels.

The weather outside was frightful during the night. Cold! Wore a sweatshirt to bed and buried myself under a heavy quilt. First time in my adult life I have been without heat.

Key West cold for me is 74 degrees. That number and anything under is hard to take. Fortunately, it is infrequent. The temperature dropped to 65 degrees during the night. The high today will be 74.

Sex was a big attraction for marriage. These days marriage also helps to keep warm on a cold night. I need a woman!

New House Speaker Mike Johnson. I continue to warn about him. 

Johnson is reported to have had a “Red Sea moment.” Speaking to a far out Christian nationalist group tuesday, he likened himself to Moses and declared God had charted his path to become their Republican Speaker. He told them God in his prayers told him to prepare.

This type thinking/belief scares me. Religion has its place, but not to the extent Johnson is claiming. God talked to me! Especially not in the mind of a person holding a significant governmental position.

A comment yesterday questioned my praise for an Irish restaurant having good Italian food. It happens. I am of Italian extraction. Grew up eating Italian meals. I know a good Italian meal when I taste one. How about this? I have recommended Harpoon Harry’s for their tuesday lasagna special. I believe the cook is Cuban.

I will be back at Brady’s Irish Pub friday night for dinner. Polish perogies. Another reason. Carola is Irish. Born and raised in Ireland. Returns for a month every two years to visit her father. She will be baking Irish sconces and will be bringing some in for me to try. I looked the Irish scones up on the internet. Described as “heaven on Earth.” I look forward to trying them.

Tonight, dinner with Jean and Joe Thornton at Antonia’s. Looking forward to it!

A smart legal move: Nuns purchased Smith & Wesson shares, then sued the Company to stop production of AR-style rifles. The nuns are composed of a coalition of Catholic nuns. The nuns claim the AR-style rifles are “the weapon of choice for numerous mass murderers.”

The lawsuit was filed tuesday in Nevada District Court.

The National Sports Shooting Foundation described the suit as “frivolous.” Described further the use of nuns in bringing the suit as a “trick.”

Bess Levin in a Vanity Fair 12/6 article: “George Santos Is Making a Ridiculous Amount of Money on Cameo.” Cameo is a platform of choice for realty TV stars, mid-tier actors, disgraced politicians, and Rudy Giuliani. Santos is on his way to making more money his first few days on Cameo than his annual Congressional salary of $174,000.

Norman Lear died at 101. A true television pioneer. Creator of such shows as All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude, and Sanford and Son.

A pilot in World War II, he flew 52 combat missions. Then, a comedy writer. Reported his big break came when he tricked a receptionist into giving him Danny Thomas’ phone number, then ringing up the comedy star and selling him a routine over the phone.

Time to brave the cold. Going out for my Monkey smoothie fix.

Enjoy your day!

Tuberville finally gave in! Nearly 10 months after blocking  a vote on 400 plus military promotions. Within hours, the Senate voted favorably on the 400 plus en blanc.

There was a deal. Apparently intended as a face saving one for Tuberville. The ban was lifted on all officers up to the 3-star level. The hold remains on those at the 4-star level. There are less than a dozen officers in that category.

Will the House vote favorably for the $64 billion Biden says Ukraine needs. Biden’s people are suggesting that any vote against supporting Ukraine is a vote supporting Putin.

Ketchup on steak. Shared with you yesterday a podcast indicating Trump uses ketchup on his steak. I received 3 calls yesterday from persons I know who advised they use ketchup on their steak. All affluent. Two women I have not seen since the 1980s and a gentleman friend I see frequently. I was surprised! Not one a Trump supporter. Merely enjoy ketchup on their steaks.

Today’s podcast goes back to the early COVID days in Trump’s Presidency.

Slavery was Constitutionally abolished this day in 1865.

A water tragedy which killed thousands on land. December 6, 1917 the explosive laden French cargo ship Mont Blanc collided with the Norwegian vessel Imo at the harbor in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The bast which erupted devastated Halifax killing 2,000 people.

Steve and I did happy hour at The Grand yesterday. I enjoyed conch fritters. First time in years. Delicious!

Remember the Christmas Boat Parade is saturday evening. Begins at Schooner Wharf.

Make a reservation now to enjoy the event from a boat. More fun. Costs a few bucks. Well worth it, however. Generally good food, drink, music and company.

The fourth Republican Presidential debate is tonight. Down to 4 candidates. Only 2 I consider Presidential timber. Chris Christie and Nikki Haley.

Trump obviously still in the running. He has refused to debate. Smart move. He is well ahead. Why give anyone the opportunity to make mince meat out of him. However it is still a long time to nominations. Trump faces obstacles. The trials, a criminal conviction, what have you. 

Syracuse beat Cornell last night 81-70. Syracuse enjoyed a big second half in winning. Significant in Syracuse’s victory was the team made thirteen 3 pointers.

It’s Georgetown next for Syracuse. Saturday at 11:30 am. I will be watching from Jack Flats.

Tonight, Brady’s Irish Pub. Carola time and probably a good Italian meal.

Enjoy your day!

Addendum: Just returned from my morning Monkey smoothie fix at Date & Thyme. Cold outside! 70 degrees. Had to go back in for a sweatshirt. Checked weather report for today. A chilly Key West one. High 73, low 64. A cold night ahead!

A somewhat humorous podcast from the past. Involves Trump and how he enjoys his steak.

I enjoyed a Subway sandwich. Notice the past tense. One a week or every ten days. Stopped consuming them 3 years ago.

There was a national sale advertised on TV. Something like 2 for 1. I do not recall specifically what the deal was. Whatever, Subway Key West in the Sears Shopping Center refused to honor the deal. Even after I politely explained it to them.

Strange, I thought. I telephoned Subway national at several different numbers. Always a recorded voice at the other end. Left a detailed message of the problem each time. Not one call returned. The situation became a “cause” with me. I wrote several memos to the national. No response again.

Finally, gave up. If Subway did not care then I did not care doing business with them any further.

In August, Subway was sold. Turns out Subway’s “discounted deals” were not mandatory on franchises. Took 3 years for me to become aware.

The new owner has said he will “force” the franchises to sell “discounted sandwiches.”

Hooray for the good guys! I shall return to Subway as a customer when I see the new program being enforced.

Busy morning yesterday. An echo test at the hospital. Stopped on the way at Date & Thyme for my morning Monkey smoothie. A quickie since I was on the way to the hospital.

Met an interesting couple. The husband came over first and asked if I was Key West Lou. He introduced himself as Mike Webber from the UK. Then his charming wife, whose name I apologize for not being able to recall at the moment, came over with “I told you it was him.”

They have read the blog for years. 

I wanted to spend time with them. However, I was already close to being late for the echo test. Ergo had to make my apologies and run off.

The Webbers have visited Key West twice a year for years. Here till next wednesday. Would enjoy running into them again. They appear to be interesting people.

Philadelphia has a problem with what the City calls its annual huge Christmas tree. The City refuses to call it a Christmas tree. Refer to it as a “Holiday tree.”

Philadelphia’s elected Democrats are responsible. The City of Brotherly Love seems to be alone in the rebranding.

What Philadelphia continues doing is political correctness carried too far.

It was the Thai bar at 5 yesterday. Met with Steve, Cindy and Ellen. The ladies had spent the day on the boat and in the water.

A couple of drinks and food, together with excellent conversation, made for a good happy hour.

Tonight, The Grand at 4.

Syracuse plays Cornell at 8. I was going to watch the game at Jack Flats. However discovered this morning I may be able to get it free on Tubo. I’ll give it a shot from home.

Enjoy your day!

The blind can see. Impossible. Inconceivable. Yet it is happening.

Today’s podcast is pre-COVID.

You’ll love it!

FSU got screwed! Simply stated. No other way. FSU went 13-0 and won the ACC title. Instead of being ranked in the top 4 teams at season’s end undefeated, it was dropped to #5. Replaced by 2 teams who each had lost 1 game.

The snub an historic one. FSU the first undefeated Power Five Conference Champion to be left out of the playoff since 2014 when the present system was initiated. 

Texas and Alabama, each a one time looser, made the coveted Playoff Four instead.

Something stinks. The stench overwhelming. What has happened does not make sense. I fear money is influencing college football too much. Perhaps a step too far. The truth will out.

Syracuse’s bowl opponent has been announced. Syracuse will play South Florida in the Boca Raton Bowl December 21. Both teams 6-6.

Bowls for teams with 6 wins an example of money’s influence in the game. No college with 6 wins and 6 losses should enjoy a bowl invitation.

Grandson Robert published an article yesterday in Nole Gameday re the reaction of FSU fans and players to FSU’s first Conference Championship since 2014. NoleGameday.com.

New House Speaker Johnson has what might be described as a tainted background which disqualifies him for the position. A position that places him second in line to Presidential succession.

He continues to believe the 2020 election was stolen. He was a key architect in the effort to steal the 2020 election. He supports banning abortion completely nationwide. After Roe v. Wade was struck down, he said his position was that all abortion providers should be sentenced to “hard labor.” He continues to be opposed to same sex marriage.

His “experience” for the Speaker position is his strength within the religious right.

His background prior to politics steeped in MAGA type activities. He worked 8 years as a senior attorney and national spokesperson for the Alliance Defending Freedom. The organization described by the New York Times as the “largest legal force of the religious right.”

He tends to “stretch” matters. He blames abortion for school shootings.  He blames mass shootings on the teaching of evolution. He blames Social Security and Medicare cuts on abortion.

Johnson not the man to hold the responsible position he holds.

Trump’s “lawsuit sickness” extends to another person who was close to him while President and continues to be close today. Stephen Miller has become a “lawsuit machine” unto himself.

Miller heads America First Legal. A right wing advocacy group. He has initiated a significant number of frivolous lawsuits that one legal expert called “fraudulent.” His claim further adds that Miller’s lawsuits’ primary purpose is to raise money from gullible conservatives.

When is the judicial system going to wise up and sanction people like Trump and Miller for bringing  numerous lawsuits with little or no merit?

The Key West New Years Eve Red Shoe Drop will continue. Sushi retired after 25 years. His successor has been identified. Christopher Peterson. He will drop in the Red Shoe at midnight at the Bourbon Street Pub. 

Enjoy your day!