The silence was deafening yesterday, The Fourth of July and oh so quiet.

Holidays are crowded walks and streets. Regardless of weather. Yesterday you could hear a pin drop.

Why, I know not. Cory and Robert drove me around town prior and subsequent to my breakfast birthday brunch. We all commented on the silence.

Fewer people? Appeared so. Are people heeding the voices and failing to travel to South Florida and the Keys because of Trump’s actions? The next long weekend will tell.

Still walking around with a major headache, though better.

With the number of Texas flooding deaths now exceeding 80, you would think floods a stranger to Texas. Not so. Common. Problem is Texas failed to get ready. Government officials were too busy playing national and Trumpism politics to be concerned. They knew floods were a concern. Failed to pay attention, to warn.

The State that considers itself to be the smartest failed its people! Proof in the flooding. Note the more than 80 dead contain 28 children.

U.S. measles cases reach 33. A one year record  high already. Thank you RFK Jr. and Donald. You play ball well together.

A rare copy of the 13th Amendment signed by Abraham Lincoln sold for a record $13 million recently.

The Corona beer owner raises struggles in recent months re attracting customers. Beer sales are down 2 percent int the first quarter. Wine and spirits down a whopping 28 percent.

Total sales down overall for the year thus far.

Why?

Owner says one reason are Hispanic and non-Hispanic consumers. Economics a concern. Especially inflation. Hispanics cutting back.

Words of wisdom by Walt Whitman: “Keep your face always toward the sunlight and shadows will fall behind you.”

On this day in 1912, Jim Thorpe began the Olympic penthalon.

Isis sex on the rise. Every 24 seconds a child is trafficked globally. An example of how horrible sex trafficking is in the Iraq region.

I still hurt. Big head. Left butt now also. A tumble it was!

Enjoy your day!

I made it! Ninety years old! Many times in the last 2 months plus I doubted it.

Celebrated the occasion with Lisa, Corey, Robert, Ally and Jake at a mammoth breakfast this morning at Lisa’s.

Yesterday foretell my not making 90…..almost! I had been in for 2 weeks in bed. Decided it was time to get out. Decided to have lunch with Steve. I stubbed my toe on the curb when I went out to get in Steve’s car. Down I went. Back of my head first. Hard! Bled big time. To the emergency rom. Stitches, brain scan, ekg, other tests. Everything ok. Home to bed with a head bigger than my room.

Did make 90, however. Enjoyed the breakfast mentioned. Lisa and Corey were quick to tell me they did not think because of the 58 days I was going to make 90. I agreed. Made it, however. Plan to continue making it to 91.

Age a significant factor in deciding whether one makes 90, 91 or what have you. All one can do is keep hoping and praying. I have been doing both recently.

Home now. Back to bed. I went out two weeks too early. 

Happy birthday calls from everywhere. Mentioned a few yesterday. One today from Jean Thornton. Joe having problems. Hope he continues recovering. 

Enjoy your day!

More wrongs than rights permeating our society.

Some examples.

The Supreme Court has given Trump immunity from nationwide injunctions. Congress is giving ground on spending and tariffs.

Each way too much.

Constitutional checks and balances are not working. The Supreme Court and Congress continue to give Trump a “blank check.”

Result: A too powerful Presidency.

Time for the Supreme Court and Congress to stand tall against the President and restore the type of government initiated by the Founding Fathers.

I fear a too powerful President.

Which leads to another issue. Can the U.S. survive a 2028 election when Trump and his cohorts will fight to retain power?

Trump is now taking on the banks big time. Refers to them as “shylocks.” Considered an antisemite term. Trump denies he uses it as such. Me thinks he lies. He has battled banks his entire economic career an has been known to have expressed antisemitic feelings.

Condo values are slipping. Across Miami-Dade County. More so outside Miami itself.

The Florida State Attorney General has authorized local police to support ICE. Local Key West residents met in mass to protest. Residents recognized the failure of due process involved.

A lot of Americans are going to die because of Robert Kennedy Jr. and Trump’s support of anti-vaccines.

A closing observation. My lengthy illness caused many to inquire re my illness. As far away as Greece, England and South Africa. Plus numerous others. Thank you!

Enjoy your day!

Tiny Key West is bombarded with ICE. People are being swept off the streets. Some by masked persons. What is happening all over the U.S. is happening here.

Shame!

Fear is permeating our streets.

Why can’t well enough be left alone. Key West needs workers.

This message is short. Its point well made.

Today is July 4th. Independence Day. No more. ICE has replaced the freedoms we once experienced. Time to return to the the days of yesteryear and the freedoms we then experienced.

Sick! Big time! Fifty eight days! Three hospitals and one recuperation facility!

Just coming out of it. Home now for two weeks.

It was towards the end of April. An old friend Cheryl Keast had driven to Key West from Cape Coral to have dinner with me at Antonia’s. She and her husband Roger had been friends for 15 years. Snowbird friends. Roger had died 3 years earlier. We decided to get together for dinner.

Parked on Simonton for a 1 1/2 block walk to Antonia’s.

Suddenly I was without energy. Totally wiped out. Sat on curb. Finally made it to Atonia’s.

It was Dr. Norris and the Key West Hospital the next day. For two days. I was shitting toilet bowl full of black blood those two days.

It was decided I needed better care. I was helicoptered to Mount Sinai in Miami. Spent one week at Mount Sinai. Sinai decided I required better care than they could provide. Ambulanced me over to Cleveland Clinic for upwards of three weeks. Toilet full of black liquid blood continued.

I had a stomach leak causing the blood problem. Two procedures to determine cause of the leak. One through the throat failed. A blockage. One through the rectum also failed. Scar tissue from a surgery 15 years earlier prevented it.

Then the “movie pill.” Size of a potassium tablet. Supposedly was to take 40,000 pictures over 4 hours. I would then pass it.

The tablet got lost. Dd not work. To this day is thought still be somewhere in my stomach.

The next step was big time surgery. Cut through the abdomen. Cleveland Clinic MDs were supposedly the best at it.

They were reluctant to do it because of its danger.

In the meantime, still shitting toilet full of liquid blood.

The leak had to be stopped!

Surgery was short timed. When portion of stomach was removed, it shuddered and shaked. I was closed immediately for fear of death. Never to be opened again.

Now I was really in trouble! Cure not available. Needed to find leak and close it.

The bleeding stopped. Turned to black turds. Represented drying blood. Needed brown turds.

I was not improving.

The doctor in charge of my procedure came in and talked with me. Told me to make arrangements to die. Talk to my family, get my affairs in order, etc.

Pissed me off no end! Death was the last thing on my mind! I was 89 and would move to 90 on July 6. Decided screw the docs and system. I was going to live!!!

I am still here. My attitude did not go over well.

I was transferred to Empress Recuperation. From my perspective, to die on someone else’s time.

The recup was terrific. I exercised big time. Pushed myself.

I was not making progress. The Doctor in charge paid me a visit. His people were not able to help me. Normally they sent people in my condition to hospice. However because I was working my ass off and was positive in the exercises, they were sending me home. Home to die was the message!

Hemoglobin is the key. An adult male should be 13.5. I was running up and down from low 6’s to 8’s. Needed lots of transfusions to keep blood stabilized.

My only hope was the leak might stop on its own. Not expectd, however.

In the two weeks home, my hemoglobin has steadily risen to 11. Wowie! Big time!

Hope it continues.

I have remained in bed. This my first blog. Will start walking soon. Lets hope the hemoglobin continues to rise. My life depends on it!

Pray for me!

The day begins with some Key West tidbits.

One of my favorite Key West sandwiches has gone up two times since Trump took office. One dollar each time. A lot!

I intentionally fail to name the restaurant. Maybe circumstances compelled such large increases, maybe the restaurant was merely being a pig taking advantage of circumstances. Not being sure, I intentionally fail to name it. However rest assured I shall avoid eating there for quite a while.

Key West gas prices have gone down this week. Second consecutive week. Twenty cents a gallon over the two weeks.

Prices will rise again. It has been that way the past few months.

Publix is not playing yo yo with prices in Key West. They only go one way: Up! A few pennies at a time. Nevertheless, always upward.

Key West’s City Attorney was indicted recently. He almost immediately tendered his resignation and received a buy out on his contract of $221,000…..before even a trial. The indictment remains standing.

Key West over the years has reflected a tendency to pay and run rather than stand and fight. The tendency goes back to a time when it opted to fight a second transit bus system and paid big time.

Trump time.

Trump is getting a “third tier” seat at Pope Francis’ funeral. The way things worked out. Deservedly so, however. He criticized Biden’s seating in the 14th row at the Queen of England’s funeral. Referred to Biden’s seat as a reflection of the U.S.’ poor position in the world.

Trump should stay home for this one. Though Francis’ position would be God loves everyone and Trump should be welcome. Unfortunately giving credit for an action he deserves not.

Who is lying? The U.S. or China? Trump claims negotiations with China re tariffs are ongoing and progress being made. China says no way! The two nations have not yet met and China will not engage in talks with Trump after tariffs have been levied. Should have been talks first! China takes Trump’s handling of the matter as an insult.

The New York Times has an interesting article this morning re Russian/Ukraine talks. The Times claims Putin keeps pummeling Ukraine, convinced Trump is on his side.

I would agree. Trump wants Ukraine to give everything away. Russia giving next to nothing. Such would amount to a total capitulation by Ukraine to Russia who started the war.

Natalism is in the air. Specifically in the Oval Office. Do not be surprised if a Trump Executive Order comes out on the issue.

Natalism concerns itself with fertilization. 

Since 2007, the U.S. birth numbers have gone down. Trump wants more babies. Especially with him pushing the issue. Most he assumes will be MAGA types when older.

Vance and Musk are pushing the issue also.

Discussions are underway on how to acknowledge and reward a woman who has more babies than normal. One reward could be a National Medal for Maternity. Six babies required to receive one.

Keep in mind friends the last authoritarian who pursued such an idea. Adolph Hitler. More babies today, more Nazis tomorrow!

Alaska Republican U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski is one tough woman. An equally tough legislator as well. Ran once as an Independent and won when her Republican Party rejected her.

Recently she admitted something we all have been feeling has been the case with federal elected officials: “We are all afraid.” Admitting the statement applied to her also. All afraid of Trump and retaliation.

A sad state of affairs!

James Baldwin was an American writer and civil rights activist. He died in 1987.

One of his famous quotes and one befitting the Donald Trump of today: “Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”

Hegseth has to go. A Trump error. He should not have been nominated in the first place.

Pope Francis.

I will be up early tomorrow morning to watch Pope Francis’ funeral. Four am!

Pope Francis opted not to be buried in the splendor of St. Peter’s. Rather he selected the significantly less formal Basilica di Santos Maria Maggiore. His tombstone within will be equally less formal bearing only the name “Franciscus.” 

The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore appeared in my readings this morning. I assume the place where Francis will be buried.

On this day in 590 A.D., Pope elect, the future Gregory the Great, lead a litanic procession through Rome to the Church of Sante Maria Maggiore, to appease divisive anger during a plague epidemic.

I close with the preeminent singer Frank Sinatra. The Voice!

On this day in 1955, Sinatra released his ninth studio album “In The Wee Small Hours.” Arrangements were by Nelson Riddle.

Have to hustle. A manicure with Tammy at noon.

Enjoy your day!

Pope Francis is now with God. Actually, most of his life has been spent with God in one fashion or another. It would be difficult to find one person more God like.

He died. At the age of 88. A common man who placed the common people of the world first. I believe it was President Biden who described him as The People’s Pope.

Francis a commoner himself. As a young Argentinian worked as a bouncer in a night club. In due course, became a Jesuit priest. In later years, the first Jesuit to become Pope. Also the first individual from the Americas to become Pope.

He might be described as one who was a strange Pope. He rejected/refused the pomposity and regalia that went with the position. Refused to live in the Pope’s Chambers. Instead opted for a small bed in a room in another building. Refused also to to replete himself in the robes and finery the Papacy called for. Instead, wore white robes and black shoes.

In death, he could lie in St. Peter’s. This too he has rejected. He has directed he be buried in the ground of a nearby Church. Not in the special coffin of Popes. Rather in a simple wooden coffin. No special name or print on his tombstone. Merely “Franciscus.”

His Papal life relegated by the name Frances which he took when he became Pope. He named himself after St. Frances, the Saint of the Poor who lived a relatively poor life.

In about two weeks, Cardinals will begin the voting process to select a new Pope. Recognize for years, Popes were of European extraction. They controlled the Catholic Church. Frances I suspect may have made such a process impossible in the election of his successor. Frances went out of his way to nominate Cardinals from Africa, Asia and small places that never had one in previous years.

Africa has become a garden spot for the Catholic Church in recent years. A blooming area for Catholicism. Two or three black Cardinals were made by Francis. The next Pope could be an African.

Trump announced he and Melania will attend the Pope’s funeral service in St. Peter’s saturday. A disgrace, a shame. Not only because he lacks the moral qualities to sit at such an event, but because he was decidedly anti-Francis during his first term. Trump appointed Newt Gingrich’s wife Callista as U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. She so served from 2017-2021. This gave Gingrich, who was was radical right, a position of influence and power in the Vatican. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were rightist and many MAGA thinking in their midst. The organization and Gingrich gave Francis a very hard time. Their game plan to overthrow Francis.

Trump should be given a seat in the last row of St. Peter’s.

Word is Elon Musk may soon cut dramatically back on the number of hours he is helping Trump. Musk’s businesses are suffering. Tesla’s first quarter earnings were down 71 percent for the first quarter of this year.

Musk has been screwing the American public. The American public are not fools. They are getting back at hm.

Our government is sticking its nose again where it does not belong. The government is considering paying the public not to use Google Search.

We are all aware how measles has gotten out of hand. Now joined by whooping cough.

The reason for the increase in both is the failure of parents to make sure their children have been vaccinated against the diseases. A thank you to RFK Jr. and others. Two diseases almost totally eradicated in the U.S. have returned and are on the rise.

An example of Trump’s “brilliance.” On this day in 2020, then President Trump suggested studying if COVID-19 could be treated by introducing disinfectant or UV lights into a human body.

Some baseball highlights.

The New York Yankees were first known as the New York Highlanders. The Highlanders won their first game this day in 1903 by beating the Washington Senators 7-2.

Baseball great Ted Williams hit his first home run for Boston this day in 1939. He was an expert fisherman also. He owned for many years a home on Islamorada.

Hank Aaron hit his first home run this day in 1954. The first of 755.

William Shakespeare was born this day in 1564.

A big day in Florida Keys history. On this day in 1982, the Florida Keys seceded from the Union. Quickly capitulated and surrendered. However has continued as the Conch Republic through the years.

I close with a wine disaster. An expensive one.

On this day in 1989, wine merchant William Sokolin broke a bottle of 1787 Chateau Margauy, possibly having belonged to Thomas Jefferson, worth $500,000, at the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York City.

Enjoy your day!

“He has risen! He is not here!” Mark 16:6.

The Easter egg became popular following Christ having risen from the dead. The hard boiled egg came to symbolize Jesus’ empty tomb. Cracking the egg represented Christ leaving the tomb. The egg at the time was stained bright red. So colored in memory of the blood Christ shed at the time of His crucifixion.

May the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand.

Happy Easter!

My good Greek friends Theos and Dina have returned. They are visiting Key West this week. Both are regular Key West visitors. Twice a year. I have known them some 15 years.

We had lunch together thursday. Maine lobster pizza while sitting on the Atlantic. The three of us devoured two of them!

I remained in last night as I will explain in a moment. Received a telephone call from Jean Thornton. She had been somewhere in Bahama Village to hear Larry Smith perform. While enjoying Larry, Theos and Dina came in. Larry announced here are Lou Petrone’s friends from Greece. They got to meet Jean. 

Jean called to let me know and how wonderful they were.

 I am celebrating Easter Sunday with Theos and Dina at Antonia’s. All the years they have been coming to Key West, they have never dined at Antonia’s. They are in for a treat!

The mass shooting at Florida State University a tragedy. Will we ever learn? I mentioned a few days ago prior to the FSU shooting how we still have not done the necessary to reduce shooting deaths.

I panicked when I received the call re the shootings. Robert and Ally are both students at FSU. I called Corey immediately and was told they were ok. Then called Robert and Ally. The shootings were just before noon. Fortunately and typically of college students, both were just getting up. Neither had classes till the afternoon. They were aware of the details involved, however.

Both were visibly upset. Grandfather Louis was also. I cried as I was talking with them. 

As those of you on in your years, you will recall fire drills while attending school. From grammar school all the way up. Today, these kids have shooting drills. Ergo all were prepared as what to do and what had to be done. Interesting to hear what Robert and Ally had to say. Even more interesting, what the media has conveyed how the students and police handled the situation. Everyone had it down to a science.

Another medical situation, another doctor. Yesterday it was Dr. Frank Don, a dermatologist.

I have not seen a dermatologist since before COVID. It was time. Over time. I have some growths, etc. The good doctor did the things dermatologists normally do. Swiftly took care of the minor problems. Two of some significance. He clipped a growth I have had behind one of my ears. It is still bleeding this morning. My bed pillow was a mess when I woke.

The other might be serious. A growth on my left ankle. He cut away. Being tested. The area still hurts this morning.

Excellent doctor and staff. I was impressed.

The 43rd annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration began yesterday and runs for 10 consecutive days. Fun every day all day. Craziness will bound! Like a pajama party at Sloppy Joe’s.

Trump continues trying to rewrite American history. He should not. What is is. Good, bad or indifferent. Truth is truth.

The 250th Anniversary of the United States is soon to be. Trump is all excited. He is either blind to the truth of American history or does not care. He will portray it as what he “wants it to be.” His actions an assault on history itself, an effort to sideline critical inquiry and purge the past of uncomfortable facts.

He is way off base in many instances. Especially where he is concerned. He once claimed he would have “crushed” a combined ticket of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Will we survive him?

Mae West is one of America’s famous actresses. Successful! Though her success was rooted in sex.

She was once jailed for obscenity. Made no difference. She became one of the world’s most successful sex symbols. Fans could not resist the offer: “Come up and see me some time.”

The American Revolution began the 18th day of April in 1775 at Lexington. Seven hundred British troops and seventy seven American Colonials. Later that day, the “shot heard around the world” was fired at Concord.

I close with might be described as “truth vs. literary license.”

Today historically relevant. Purportedly Paul Revere made his famous ride. The distinguished American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow made Paul Revere famous when he penned his famous poetical line “Listen my children, / And you shall hear / Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.”

One problem, however. It was not Paul Revere who was the hero in 1775 at the time the first shots were to be fired at Lexington. It was Israel Bissell. Historians suspect Longfellow took a bit of literary license. Bissell did not rhyme as well as Revere.

Paul Revere did ride, as well as several other men. Historians conclude Revere only rode between 1.5 and 20 miles shouting…..To arms, to arms the British are coming.

Israel Bissell rode 345 miles. The trip took 4 days 6 hours. He rode from Watertown, Massachusetts to Philadelphia. The trip was over the Old Post Road.

Enjoy your day!

Jimmy Buffett wrote about the Key West he discovered in the 1970’s. The people, streets, Mulberry Square.

He wrote and sang “I Have Found Me A Home.” Key words: “The days drift by, they don’t have names; / And none of the streets here look the same / And there are so many quiet places / And smilin’ eyes match their smilin’ faces…../ You can have everything else I own ’cause I have found me a home.”

Key West is into night turtle nesting time. Be careful when walking on the beaches. Also try to keep condo, etc. lights out near the beaches so turtles can lay their eggs safely and hatchings can find their way safely to the water. Turtles look to the moon to direct them to the ocean. Man made light from the condos and street lights screw them up. They believe the man made lights are the moon over the water and end up under car wheels and people’s feet.

Never made it to The Grand last night. A water pipe broke near the house and we were without water for several hours. Meant no shower or shaving for me if I were to go out without. Smelled “too good” for that so remained home. The water got hooked back up to close to the 4 pm time I was to be at The Grand. Required my canceling with my Greek friends Theos and Dina. We are having lunch instead tomorrow. Maine lobster pizza at Theos’ specific request!

Tonight, I will be at Brady’s Irish Pub. Lasagna the specialty. Excellent! Amazing how an Irish restaurant can prepare an excellent Italian dish! The cook probably a Cuban. That’s the way it is in Key West.

Key West City Attorney Ronald Ramsingh, Code Compliance Director James Young, and Building Department Director Rajindhar Ramsingh were indicted yesterday charged with attempting “to obstruct an ongoing law enforcement investigation.” The investigation of the three was conducted by the State Attorney and FBI.

Further details sparse at the moment.

The Garcia matter ongoing. Trump not bending. A Constitutional confrontation with the Courts in the making. Trump could not be more wrong. A Court resolution may not be possible. American people upset. Also upset with the many problems arising out of the tariffs. A coup in the making? 

The situation stinks! 

Joe Biden finally speaking up. Time for him to be heard. He spoke yesterday in defense of Social Security and to make people aware of what could occur with the program if Trump has his way.

Welcome back President Biden!

You have to admire Harvard University. Trump has attacked Harvard. They have refused to bend the knee even though Trump is taking away Harvard’s tax exempt status and is freezing $2.2 billion in federal funding.

Donald, get your ass out of college and university education. There are some things you cannot control. Higher education one. Harvard is not “stupid” as you have charged. You are if you think a President should control what colleges and universities teach.

Pennsylvania’s Gov. Shapiro’s home was fire bombed. The Governor, his family and guests were asleep at the time. The Jewish holiday was being celebrated.

The culprit has been caught and charged with arson and attempted murder. The house damaged big time. Fortunate the State Police got everyone out safely.

This crap has to stop! These things are not supposed to happen in the U.S. 

On this day in 2007, 32 persons were gunned down at Virginia Tech.  The sadness the event itself. Even worse, that gun control not that much better since 2007.

Today is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s birthday. He is 78.

“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Henry Stanley’s famous words when he finally located the missionary, doctor and explorer in Africa in 1871.

Dr. Livingstone died 3 years later. His body arrived home this day in 1874 in Southampton for burial.

Turkey is the home to the largest underground city. Now called Derinkuyu. Eighteen levels deep. Constructed in 1200 BCE. At one time housed 20,000 people.

I close with our “good friend” Russia.

Russia was difficult to trust even in the early days of World War II. 

On this day in 1939, Stalin proposed an alliance with Britain and France to counter Nazi Germany. The Soviets later signed a secret agreement with the Nazis.

Roosevelt and Churchill had their hands full in dealing with Stalin during World war II.

Enjoy your day!