Happy Birthday Cindy Thompson! Seventy seven years young. She looks young. A good 20 years younger.

I am one day late. So it is belated greetings.

Cindy is wife to Steve. They have been married 43 years. God bless! Two daughters, five grandchildren.

Cindy has another distinction. An interesting and exciting one. She has worked for Jimmy Buffett since 1985. First in Margaritaville. Then in Buffett’s offices in the Kress Building. His girl friday, right hand. She and Sunshine. Still his helping hand in Key West, even though the office here is no longer open. Permanently on call.

She and Steve are two of my best Key West friends.

Key West sucks when it comes to housing. There is too little in Key West and that which is provided too expensive. The City always talks about solving the problem. However does little. And what is done takes forever. Again, expensive.

I am not an architect. I can see and think I understand some things. A question. Why are the Sears Shopping Plaza and Key Plaza expansive empty spaces going unused? Why can’t another floor be added to each thus providing quicker and hopefully cheaper housing? Two floors at each site.

Back in 1935, there was no pipeline running from the mainland to Key West to supply drinking water to Key West residents. Cisterns and wells were the sole sources.

The two were also places where mosquitoes would breed. A plan was initiated in 1935 to hopefully eradicate the mosquitoes. Small fish were distributed to residents who were to place them in their cisterns and wells.

Malaria has returned to Florida after 40 years. The malaria cases are solely in Sarasota County. So far. They call for caution. Malaria is mosquito caused. Best protection is to avoid being bitten and to stay away from standing water.

The heat wave continues. Experts claim it will intensify this weekend and push temperatures close to 130 degrees in some western areas of the U.S.

The heat wave was heavy in Key West yesterday. I really felt it for the first time going to and returning from my manicure with Tammy.

Soon after returning home, I felt funny and lousy. Stayed with me into the evening. Cancelled dinner plans with Fran and Tom. Don’t know if it was the heat or not. Whatever, put me down.

The defense bill normally receives broad bipartisan support. Not this year! Kevin McCarthy ceded the Speakership to the far right again.

The House adopted conservative amendments, most woke in nature, that have no place in a military defense bill. Like abortion and transsexual rights.

Then there is the nutty Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) who is blocking one hundred percent of military promotions in the Senate over an abortion issue.

U.S. support for Ukraine an issue also.

The U.S. does not need these type amendments/discussions when the military defense budget is the issue.. Republican actions place the security of our Nation at risk.

An event which symbolized the start of the French Revolution occurred when citizens of Paris stormed the Bastille prison. The attack on the Bastille took place this day in 1789.

Similar to our January 6 insurrection. With an important significant difference. The French Revolution succeeded, the January 6 insurrection failed.

Makes you wonder. If the January 6 insurrection had succeeded, would thousands of Americans have been beheaded? Probably hung. Don’t say no. Thank God we will never know. Hopefully.

Recall Hitler’s takeover of Germany was a successful modern day one. It resulted in 6 million Jews being killed. Gas chambers instead of beheadings.

Booker T. Washington words of wisdom: “A lie does not become truth, wrong does not become right and evil does not become good because it is accepted by a majority.”

Applies to some pontifications of false statements in today’s society.

Bess Levin’s recent article: DeSantis’ Lack of Personality Is Now Costing Him GOP Super Daddies. She wrote: “Rupert Murdoch apparently isn’t the only one who can smell a loser.”

Enjoy your day!

Hemingway Days begin next tuesday July 18 and run through sunday July 23. An exciting time!

Two events especially appeal to me. The Hemingway Look-Alike Contest and the Running of the Bulls.

The Look-Alike Contest will have 125 or more contestants. They come from all over the world. Most will be exact replicas of Hemingway. A friendly crowd. All over the lower end of Duval during the contest. Meeting and greeting everyone.

The Running of the Bulls is “almost” for real. The bulls will run down Duval. Plywood and cardboard. The flavor the same as if for real. People yelling and screaming along Duval. Some running in and out of the rushing bulls.

A great summer party!

Most parts of the U.S. are encumbered with heat or rain or heat and rain. Disasters each.

Can global warming be denied?

I read this morning…..If you get too hot, you will die. Heat is the invisible killer that is ruining the summer.

Someone in Austin, Texas was asked how the weather was. Response: “Relatively cool outside…..in the 90s.”

Says it all.

Inflation dropped to 3 percent in June. It was 9 percent one year ago.

Slowly but surely, the dollar killer is being reduced.

Biden is responsible. His goal is 2 percent. Hopefully he will make it by this time next year.

One thing people neither realize nor understand. Inflation this time is a world wide problem. Slowly but surely, Biden is kicking it in the ass in the U.S.

The Key West Airport is undergoing a much needed reconstruction. Part of the money is coming from Biden’s infrastructure law. The Biden law allocates $1 billion spread over 99 airports. The Key West International Airport one of the beneficiaries. The Airport is receiving $13 million.

Our airport is in dire need of the work being done.

Congressional Republicans, including Florida House and Senate members, are committed to slashing funding in the law. Even after it has been passed.

Wise up Key Westers. Those voted in to represent us now want to take that money or some portion thereof away from us.

Who needs these people? Forget about woke. Lets go back to running government like it was. Things like the airport are more important.

A bit of history re teaching about gays and lesbians in public schools. In 2011, California became the first state to add lessons about gays and lesbians to social study classes in public schools. Jerry Brown was Governor.

The HOLLYWOOD sign in huge bold letters on the side of a hill in the Los Angeles area was constructed in 1923. The letters 50 feet high.

The original sign actually HOLLYWOODLAND.

In 1949, the LAND portion was removed.

This day in 1960, John F. Kennedy won the Democratic nomination for Presidnet on the first ballot at his Party’s convention in Los Angeles.

Kennedy was not Presidnet long enough for us to know whether he would have been a great one. I was impressed however with his handling of the Cuban missile crisis. It could have been war with Russia. His skillful handling of the situation saved the day.

Fran and Tom Dixon are back in town. We are having dinner together tonight at La Te Da.

A manicure at 12:30.

Enjoy your day!

The old saying go to bed with dogs, wake up with fleas is always correct.

Trump has a habit of inflicting the flea problem on his supporters. Many destroyed as a result of the Trump relationship.

The latest to fall is Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow. A strong supporter of Trump. One who had easy access to the While House while Trump was President.

MyPillow is auctioning off hundreds of pieces of equipment and subleasing some manufacturing spaces based on what Lindell calls “a massive, massive cancellation.” Lindell claims MyPillow lost $100 million from “attacks by box stores, the shopping networks, the shopping channels, all of them did cancel culture on us.”

Several retailers, including Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Kohl’s pulled MyPillow from their shelves after Lindell continued to claim the 2020 Presidential election was stolen from Trump.

Bess Levin published a Vanity Fair article yesterday titled “Trump Says Hunter Biden Should’ve Gotten the Death Penalty for Not Paying His Taxes on Time.”

Levin asks what Trump thinks the penalty should be for someone “accused of inciting an insurrection and obstructing a federal investigation should be.”

I ask what the penalty should be if Trump falsified his tax returns so as to pay less taxes.

Burger King has introduced The Real Cheese Burger in Thailand.

Cheese is an ultra popular food in Thailand. Burger King is tapping into the market. It has introduced a new meatless burger. Only 20 slices of American cheese. Nothing else. No tomato, onion, etc.

Blog late and short today. Sorry. My morning tied up with tests.

Enjoy your day!

Jean Thornton telephoned from Birmingham last night. She was watching TV and there was a show about Italian restaurants in upstate New York. My home town Utica was featured, of course. Home to some of the best Italian food in the United States!

The TV  featured Utica restaurant was the Chesterfield. An old time Utica mainstay. A neighborhood Italian restaurant. It was probably in existence when I was born in 1935. I dined there several times a month for years. Occasionally threw a small party in its back room.

The house specialty: Chicken riggies! 

The TV show claimed chicken riggies were “discovered” at the Chesterfield in 1989. Not correct. Chicken riggies were the talented result of another popular Utica area place called the Clinton House. Run by Richie Scamardo and Bobby Hazelton. Unquestionably an Italian restaurant. Called the Clinton House because it began in the Utica suburb Clinton. First a small dining operation in a shopping center. Later a large Italian restaurant in the heart of Clinton. Finally years later ended up in the Utica suburb of New Hartford. Much closer to Uticans who were its largest number of customers.

No matter where located, I was a diehard Clinton House fan to the tune of at least two times a week. The food was spectacular! Outstanding!

Richie and Bobby first produced chicken rigiges in 1979, ten years earlier than the Chesterfield.

What are chicken riggies? Also known as Utica riggies. 

A pasta based dish. Generally rigatonis. Buried in greens, chicken, sweet and hot peppers, onions, Romano cheese, white wine, and a spicy marinara sauce.

A bit on the heavy side. Nevertheless delicious! 

The last time I was in Utica was 15 years ago in 2008. I do know if the Clinton House still exists. The Chesterfield must. It’s eternal.

Jean returns to Key West today. We will be having dinner together a few times. Not chicken riggies, however. No Key West restaurant features them.

Enjoy your day!

Today is National Pina Colada Day.

Funny, I never drink pina coladas in Key West. Yet when visiting a beach in Europe or the Caribbean, drink several a day. All while lying on a beach under a beach umbrella. I developed a schedule: 10, noon, 2 and 4 o’clock. An extra shot of rum, of course.

Our sins follow us and pop up at later times to cause us concern. A perfect example is Donald Trump’s discussing seizing voting machines and invoking martial law in December 2020 at a White House meeting. Special Counsel Jack Smith is interested. A number of U.S. citizens are interested also.

On this day in 1847, six enslaved men who had been put to work on the construction of Fort Jefferson escaped on a schooner from the Dry Tortugas and attempted to sail to the Bahamas to find freedom.

THE SIX WERE LOCATED AND CAPTURED NEAR INDIAN KEY BY KEY WEST WRECKERS WHO FILED A CLAIM ON THEIR VALUE.

Humans sold as “property.”

The way it was then.

DeSantis’ consistent attacks on LGBTQ, coupled with his recent video, have me wondering if he has “closet” problems.

Some Florida LGBTQ residents are acquiring the mental attitude of better safe than sorry. They are leaving Florida and moving to blue states. One commented: “We sold our home. We are moving sunday or monday. It’s bittersweet. We’re leaving behind a lot of people we love. But I’m excited to live in a state where people of color, where Jews, gay people, and trans people are valued. And there’s a governor who welcomes us.”

Key West is part of Monroe County.

On July 2, 1823, Monroe County was established as the Florida Territory’s sixth county. It was named after the then sitting and fifth President of the United States, James Monroe.

Monroe County was huge back then. Part of it was located on mainland Florida. Its boundaries extended north to the south shore of Lake Okeechobee and west to Charlotte Harbor.

Remember Joan Rivers? Her humor made sense: “I don’t exercise. If God wanted me to bend over, he would have put diamonds on the floor.”

Enjoy your day!

On this day 1933, Ernest Hemingway was fishing with Captain Joe Russell. Russell was one of Hemingway’s best friends and owner of Sloppy Joe’s.

Hemingway caught a marlin measuring 12 feet 8 inches and weighing 468 pounds while they were fishing in Cuban waters.

Malaria is becoming threat in Florida. At a time when DeSantis has two top public health positions vacant.
This is the first time malaria cases have occurred in Florida in 2 decades.

The two top health positions have been left unfilled for quite a while under DeSantis. The two vacant positions involved are for persons to track and prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Health experts say the vacancies leave Florida facing a “serious health crisis.” Six malaria cases so far. All in Sarasota County.

The 1945 Christmas Carol…..Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful. Still popular today. Frank Sinatra recording a Christmas time favorite.

Refers to snow. Not hot humid summer heat. Substitute “Let the sun shine” for “Let it snow” and the song has a 2023 summer application.

Yesterday’s weather. Hot in Key West, though not as warm as some other parts of the country. Went out at 5 yesterday afternoon. Temperature 92 degrees. Five hours later on the way home, the temperature had dropped to 87 degrees. Still warm.

Pope Francis named 21 new Cardinals. They will be instilled at the Vatican on September 30.

Trump’s downfall coming. What is amazing is how many others he has taken and will continue to take down with him.
Rudy Giuliani represents the downfall of a former U.S. Attorney and Mayor. He “lost it” in his senior years. He wanted to be a “bigger man” and jumped on the Trump team to achieve the goal.

Foolish! Non-sensical!

His challenges to the 2020 election results were “utterly false” and “recklessly so.” A D.C. Court of Appeals Committee so said and recommended his disbarment to the D.C. Court of Appeals.

Giuliani already has had his license to practice law in New York temporarily suspended.

Last night a pleasant one. Steve Thompson and I enjoyed the Chart Room and Brady’s.
Drinks first at the Chart Room. Not too crowded.

Four middle aged men were partying. Respectful appearing. Obviously tourists. One bellowed “this place is a dive” and that they were waiting for two 24-25 year olds they had met to meet them there.

The ladies never showed.

The “dive” comment irritated me. Though I have been unhappy with the Chart Room of late, never in my 20 years of frequenting the place have I ever considered it to be a “dive.”

Dinner at Brady’s was good. Steve was excited. He enjoys Brady’s liver and onions.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Everyone has problems!

An interesting brief in Slate: “I Want to Chat…..I am in a monogamous relationship with a lesbian, but I’m more and more missing men.”

Dahlia Lithwick’s article in today’s Jurisprudence describes the Supreme Court perfectly in one word: “Arrogance.” The title: “How To Sum Up The Supreme Court Term.”

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, condemned Chief Justice Roberts yesterday for failure to reform the Supreme Court saying: “The highest Court in the land should not have the lowest ethical standards.”

I agree.

Time to make rules for the Supreme Court and clean house where warranted.

Alaska, too!

Steve Thompson’s twin brother Rich and his wife Linda e-mailed Happy Birthday greetings yesterday. Rich is a salmon fisherman in Alaska. Met he and Linda in January when they were visiting Steve and Cindy. He brought salmon from Alaska, cleaned and cooked it for our dinner. Delicious!

John Simonton at one time owned all of what in 1826 constituted the island of Key West. He brought a master carpenter from Baltimore. The rate of construction doubled following the master carpenter’s arrival.

In 1962, the movie PT-109, the story of President John Kennedy during World War II, was being filmed on Munson Island. Today, Little Palm Island. The movie starred Cliff Robertson as Kennedy.

Years later, I met Robertson at a fund raising event at the Mel Fisher Museum. He was serving as National Chairman of a fund raiser for the Museum.

Nothing wasted.

Old replaced concrete electric poles are being accumulated to be repurposed as a new artificial reef off the Florida Keys. The plan is to gather 37 of the concrete polls which stood 55 feet above ground to make the reef.

Involved is the Florida Keys Electrical Cooperative.

Two healthy robust sea turtles will be released today at noon at Higgs Beach behind Salute.

The Turtle Hospital will release Curly and Tutu. Curly a 15 pounder rescued in November off Big Coppitt Key. Tutu a 50 pound turtle rescued in October off Key West. Both were treated for fiberopapillomastosis and are ready to return to their home.

The public is invited.

Enjoy your day!

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married this day in 1946. They were 21 and 18 respectively.

Now 77 years later, both are still alive and married. An All American couple.

Unfortunately, our former Presidnet has been in his death bed for several months awaiting the inevitable.

A black man who is a disgrace to his race: Clarence Thomas. He continues to prove it with his Supreme Court opinions and life off the bench. His most recent dagger in the heart of equality his concurring opinion in the university admissions case where Thomas explained the Court was colorblind. Intentionally so, intimating that color was no longer a problem in the U.S.

Me thinks the man has experienced too much “good white living.” He deceives himself.

In 1959, the movie Operation Petticoat was filmed in Key West. A World War II submarine/comedy film starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. While Grant was in Key West, he purchased four Mario Sanchez wood carvings.

Three years later, Grant made That Touch of Mink movie with Doris Day. The four Sanchez wood carvings were featured in the movie.

A small world.

On this day in 1865, four people were hanged in Washington, D.C. for conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. One was Mary Suratt. She was the first woman to be executed by the federal government.

The Middle Ages were weird and cruel. A dark period in history. The religious fanaticism of the Catholic Church and whacky medicine two primary reasons.

It has been raining a lot lately. Weather completely screwed up. Fortunate we do not live in the Middle Ages. Bad weather was blamed on the “witches.” Thousands were burned at the stake and otherwise executed for it.

We live in mentally screwy times. Will some group decide “witches” to blame for the inclement weather and renew burning at the stakes? Never say no. Recent history reveals whacky things can happen. A warning to be vigilant. Vote! Don’t let the nuts take over our government.

Experts are revising earlier forecasts. Now calling for an active hurricane season. Blame low record warm Atlantic waters.

The unusually hot Atlantic waters are being described as a powder keg that won’t take much for a storm to tap into. The hot waters being described as fuel.

The Happy Birthdays have not stopped. Still coming in this morning. Emails remain heavy, several telephone calls.

One of yesterday’s calls was from my friend Theos in Greece. He was calling from Corfu where he was visiting one of his children.

There were additional birthday greetings from Greece, South Africa, Italy and Thailand. Amazing! The most of course were from the U.S.A.

I thank each of you. It is nice to be remembered. As one gets older, a person begins to think he has very few friends. At my age, most have died or moved away.

Thanks again.

Enjoy your day!

I’m 88 years old today. Amazing!

I should not be. My father made it to 98. His father 94. His sister Mary 102. If I have my father’s genes, I’m ok. Interestingly, my physical problems were his. The aortic valve problem and parathyroid tumors. Runs in the family. Lisa was recently diagnosed with a parathyroid problem.

I view getting old like an automobile. After a while, the car begins developing problems. The older the car, the more serious the problem. Which amounts to no problem. The car goes into the garage, problem diagnosed and fixed. My hope is they can continue diagnosing and most importantly fixing whatever develops with my body.

My head is good. I still think with the same sharpness I had 30, 40, 50 years ago in the courtroom. It’s the body that fails me.

I may have celebrated my birthday yesterday. Inadvertently. Started the day with blood work at the hospital at 8. Then pancakes at Harpoon Harry’s. Laid around the rest of the day doing nothing. Loved it!

Decided to go out for dinner. Brady’s.

The bartender mentioned she was going to Ireland shortly for a one month visit. Her Dad’s birthday. He is going to be 92. I told her my birthday was tomorrow (today) and I would be 88.

She bought my dinner! How nice. Fought me when I left a tip. Refused to take it. I told her nicely I would be insulted if she refused. Settled the issue.

Chatted with Brian who was sitting next to me at the bar. He’s a chef at Mangoes. Also, Ric. Robert and Ally’s Santa Claus for many years.

How will I celebrate my 88th? Hair appointment at noon. Then lunch with Julia at Hogfish. Followed by nothing the rest of the day.

A Celebration of Life for the special Toni Tarracino has been scheduled. It will be at Captain Tony’s July 17 at 11 am. Everyone come to pay homage to one of the sweetest persons we all knew and loved.

I watched the fireworks on TV tuesday night. New York City’s were spectacular! One mile long. One thousand feet up. Colors galore. In the forefront, the Statue of Liberty all lit up.

Scientists claim July 4 was the hottest day ever! The hottest day in 125,000 years! Not healthy!

Experts blame the situation on the burning of oil, gas and coal. The burning releases “greenhouse” gases.

Many odd ball events have come to make up a part of the July 4th celebration. One is Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City.

Joey “Jaws” Chestnut won his 16th title. Impressive! He consumed 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Amounts to one every 10 seconds.

Beat his closest competitor by 13 hot dogs.

Stomach ache afterwards?

Word is Trump is souring on Kari Lake as his VP running mate. She is a “spotlight hound.” Trump will not tolerate anyone who tries to or outdoes him when it comes to public exposure.

Discrimination in Key West this day in 1946.

Key West police forcibly removed two colored girls from a Greyhound bus for refusing to take seats at the back of the vehicle. The two were taken to the police station, where the police chief explained to them that Florida law required people of color to take seats at the rear of a public conveyance.

Not the time yet for a Rosa Parks!

On Twitter this morning: “What the fuck is wrong with Americans who aren’t on board with free healthcare. I’m Canadian and I don’t care that I pay extra taxes so a little boy in Alberta can have open heart surgery, or an elderly man in Nova Scotia can get the heart medication he desperately needs. It’s called taking care of your people. I’m glad to pay so that people can have a good quality of life. IT’S CALLED BEING A DECENT FUCKING HUMAN BEING.”

I agree.

Enjoy your day!

Happy birthday U.S.A.!

Two days ago, I wrote the Declaration of Independence was actually approved by the Continental Congress July 2 rather than July 4. July 4 came into play because it was the day the Declaration of Independence was printed. The error stuck and so we celebrate Independence on July 4th.

Another historical error involves the signing. Most historians disagree that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4. Nor was it signed on July 2. Historians claim it was signed almost a month after its adoption July 2. It was signed on August 2.

Apparently record keeping in 1776 was not as precise as it is today. The important thing is we won the war.

The major July 4th event tonight. Fireworks! At Knight Pier. Visible from most parts of Key West and up U.S.1.

One of the best evenings watching fireworks for me occurred some 20 years ago. Jenna Stauffer and I watched fireworks together from my Key Haven home. Two lounge chairs by the pool next to the ocean. A bottle of Dom Perignon. Fireworks clearly visible 2 miles away.

A perfect evening.

Banks can be a pain in the ass. Generally are.

Many Monroe County School District employee checks are bouncing because one of the School District’s banks could not handle payroll check deposits. Centennial is the bank involved. Centennial won the right to service the School District through a competitive bidding process.

The School District’s payroll deposit is normally $ 1.0 million. June 30 paychecks totaled $3.0 million. June 30 is the end of the School District’s fiscal year so deposits were larger. The School District had a $2.5 million line of credit. It was raised during the day to $3.5 million.

Centennial was unable to post the deposit to all School District employee accounts. It was too much for the bank to handle. Employees had written checks to pay their bills assuming and relying on the automatic bank deposits having been made. Checks bounced.

The School District was not aware of the problem. Centennial did not cover the “assumed” deposits. The bank did later in the day when posting was complete. Too late however to prevent checks from bouncing.

The School District should have been aware there would be a problem. Centennial should have warned the School District beforehand. More importantly, Centennial should have covered employee checks having full knowledge that they already had in hand sufficient funds from the School District’s deposit to do so. Fault appears to lie with Centennial for not doing so. An account as large as the School District’s is entitled to better consideration and attention under the circumstances.

The Keys Citizen makes it appear fault lie with the School District. School District representatives were apologizing and explaining all over the place. I see fault with the bank.

A question on Facebook this morning. The question: When is a retiree’s bedtime? Answer: Two hours after falling asleep on the couch.

So true.

Enjoy the holiday!