An insult to Key West’s Dog Beach.

A Ryan Krogh published on 6/18/23 “The 11 Most Friendly Dog Beaches In The U.S.”

He failed to list Key West’s Dog Beach. Our fury friends have one of the best beaches in Key West. Our pets are not treated as second class citizens. Even a top shelf neighbor. Dog Beach is next door to famed Louie’s Back Yard.

Ryan Krogh blew it!

Unregulated submersibles.

“Titan” that appears lost. Which would mean all 5 aboard are dead. If the vessel is still intact, experts say it would have run out of oxygen at 7 this morning.

Titanic’s bad luck followed it.

A “suicide mission.”

Those who paid to go now appear to have been foolish, to have taken their lives in their own hands by their decision. They paid $250,000 each. The cost of a ticket to death.

The censure of Rep. Adam Schiff by the House yesterday a disgrace.

Schiff is an outstanding American. He paid the price for fighting Trump and Trumpism for several years. The censure “a black mark on his record.” An undeserved one. The result of political get evenism. 

Schiff presently a candidate for the U.S. Senate to represent California. Several excellent candidates in the Democratic race. I hope he wins the primary. He deserves it. He deserves thereafter to win the Senate race itself. America needs him!

Next, the word is House Republicans plan on impeaching Biden. To get even for what “was done to Trump.” Also to make Biden look bad going into the 2024 Presidential race.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito pulled a Clarence Thomas. He took a private jet plane to Alaska and back for a fishing trip in 2008 as the guest of an individual whose held a significant interest in a company that came before the Supreme Court. The same individua had interests in at least ten other matters that came before the Supreme Court.

Alito never disclosed nor recused himself.

I have written several times in the past re Alito’s wrongdoings, missteps, etc. I am doing further research and will report further in a few days.

The GI Bill was signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt this day in 1944. A free college education and other benefits for those who fought for the U.S. in World War II.

The Bill a smart move! A great move! Made more “doctors, lawyers and Indian chiefs” than would have been possible without. Uplifted persons and families socially and economically.

Roosevelt was a brilliant President in many ways. The GI Bill only one example. His greatest achievement was leading the U.S. through World War II to victory.

On this day 1937, Joe Louis knocked out Jim Braddock to become World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. Louis defended his title to World War II. His last fight early in the war was with Billy Conn. Louis defeated Conn after a hell of a fight. Louis promised Conn first shot at him after the war.

The war ended. The fight took place at Yankee Stadium on 6/19/46. Louis easily won.

Louis fought 69 times. Won 66, 52 by KO. Lost 3.

Many consider Louis the greatest boxer of all time. Even greater than Muhammad Ali.

I am 2 days post the nuclear test which I took tuesday. The exhaustion stayed with me till dinner time yesterday. I never experienced such exhaustion following other similar testing.

Enjoy your day!

Joke on Facebook this morning. Two grandmas in rocking chairs talking: “Used to be ‘Rock around the clock,’ now it’s ‘Limp around the block!'”

Love it!

Speaking of age, would you believe the following? A 101 year old grandmother gave birth to her 17th child.

The 101 year old’s name Anatolia. Resides in Turkey.

Ovary transplant surgery is common in Turkey. Anatolia lost her ovaries at 48 to due to ovarian cancer. She received transplants.

Still working! A sperm donor provided the seed.

Amazing!

Tiring day yesterday. A nuclear stress test which began at 6:30 am. I arrived at the hospital at 6:15 to check in. Procedure long. I did not leave till 9:15.

My game plan was to drive into town for breakfast afterwards. No way! I was totally exhausted. Drove home. Spent the day in bed sleeping and watching old movies on TV.

I am still tired this morning.

I have had 3 or 4 similar tests in the past. Never left me tired. I can’t wait for it to pass.

“Banging” heard in search for Titanic exploratory submarine. A Canadian aircraft detected “banging” noise from the sub’s last known location. The “banging” was heard every 30 minutes.

I sense a miracle if those in the sub are found and recovered alive.

My living and learning continues. Little pieces of information. Tomorrow is called tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, overmorrow.

A crazy non-sensical law. In Alabama, it’s illegal to drive blindfolded.

So much for today. I’m wiped out.

Enjoy your day!

Anti-trans hate is rampant in the U.S.

We are a strange people. Always need some one / some group to hate.

A photo of Toni Tarracino and her dad Captain Tony. Tiny Toni standing next to her squatting Dad. They were a pair as she grew. She was constantly with her father on the boat and in the bar.

Today’s COVID, yesterday’s yellow fever. The Citizen’s Keys History this day 1865: “The bark Adventure arrived in Key West with four of her crew sick with yellow fever. The fever spread to the Army troops on the island and began an epidemic that caused 331 cases with 71 deaths among the troops and an unknown number of cases among the civilian population.”

Another mass shooting. Juneteenth celebration in Willowbrook, Illinois. Twenty-three injured, one fatally.

Suspects multiple in number.

No arrests yet.

When and how will these shootings stop?

The U.S. Open was won by Wyndham Clark. By one stroke over Rory McIlroy.

Richie Fowler failed on the last day.

Clark is 29 years old. Won his first PGA Tour title 6 weeks ago. He is a star born with his two wins, especially the U.S. Open yesterday.

No blog tomorrow. I am scheduled for a 6:30 am nuclear stress test. Following which I am going to treat myself to a breakfast of pancakes at Harpoon Harry’s.

Enjoy your day!

The best people! Mom and Dads! Today Father’s Day! Congratulations to Dads everywhere. Hope each of you is being remembered.

George Washington was a good father! What else could have been expected of him. One problem, however. He never fathered a child of his own. He had no biological descendants.  Yet he raised a number of children.

Martha had been married before. She brought into her marriage with George two young daughters. George raised them as if they were his own. Other children found their way into his life and he raised them all as if his own blood. He even raised the children of the children, who became his grandchildren.

George was especially helpful to the young ladies as they matured. His best advice came regarding their romantic involvements. He directed their attention to finding a suitable husband. Education was not important for the ladies. Marriage was.

His major disappointment were his “sons.” He pushed the necessity of obtaining an education. As hard as he tried, he could not get even one to finish college.

Washington had a second family. The American people. Governeur Morris eulogized Washington. Part of his remarks included the fact Washington was childless in the biological sense. He went on to say he was none the less a father. A father to all Americans.

I live and learn. Two things being reported today. One that Washington was biologically childless. The other a comment I never heard before concerning the Taj Mahal.

Recall I wrote about the Taj Mahal yesterday. Bess e-mailed a comment to the article. Her statement included: The Taj Mahal was “man’s greatest erection ever for the love of a woman.” I instantly thought….. Oops, a sex connotation! Checked it out to be sure. I was wrong. The statement has been said and written tons of times over the years. The “erection” specifically directed to the Taj Mahal building itself. It is in fact, the “greatest erection for love.”

The structure is located in northern India in the community of Agra. A popular visiting place. In 2019 alone, 6.5 million people visited the Taj Mahal.

Yesterday, an easy one. No tests. Enjoyed Lori’s company at noon. It was haircut time. Late by a week. Three weeks since my last. Lori was vacationing in Arkansas.

Lunch afterwards at Harpoon Harry’s. Ribs. Delicious!

Peter came over to say hello. I did not recognize him at first. He bartends at Don’s Place. We had an enjoyable conversation. It has been several years since I have been to Don’s.

The U.S. Open is being played in Los Angeles/Hollywood. Ergo play on TV was late. I was up late watching. 

Three players are in position to win. Fowler and Clark at at -10, McIlroy -9. They don’t tee off till around 5:30. I doubt play will finish till 10 our time.

Should be an exciting final round.

Blog being published late today. Sloan and I had some work to do. Ate up a couple of hours.

Enjoy your Sunday!

It took 17 years to build the Taj Mahal. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 1648.

It is recognized as the world’s grandest symbol of love and devotion.

On this day in 1631, Mumtaz died during childbirth. Her husband was Mughal, Emperor Shah Jahan I. Mughal immediately had construction commenced for her tomb. The edifice known throughout history as the Taj Mahal.

Wisdom is sometimes nothing more than a simple solution to what appears an intricate problem. Key West and the Keys are having water problems. Both areas receive their water from the mainland.

Recent problems and comments which followed clearly indicate new piping for water transmission is required. Long overdue.

Someone has the answer, the simple one. It appeared in comment form in today’s Citizens’ Voice: “Why not start laying in a new Keys main water line parallel to the existing 40 year old one?”

Beginning now would be proactive rather than waiting to the last minute with all attendant problems and being reactive. Also called the smart way of doing business.

The last month I have had all kinds of medical tests. Most at the Key West hospital the Lower Keys Medical Center. I am having heart problems.

Yesterday was an MRI. Next week, the last. A nuclear stress test. Then a recommendation will be made wjhether I should have aortic valve replacement surgery. I am not a happy camper.

I have learned much about the inner workings of the hospital over this testing period of time. What goers on behind the doors. Note I have been one type patient or another over 30 years. I will say things have significantly improved re in house patient care during that time.

I have observed a testing problem that concerns me, however. The medical staff performing the tests are overworked. They move their asses even for the most routine tests. It was obvious during a series of x-rays I had and the MRI yesterday. Haste makes waste. Not a could it happen situation. Something has to be happening on a frequent basis with the rushing imposed on the technician staff.

Management should investigate the situation and take corrective measures. 

My MRI was at 3:15. Afterwards, I went to Grady’s for something to eat. I was required to fast for four hours prior to the test so I was hungry.

I enjoyed pierogis. Watched the U.S. Open while eating.

Ran into Santa Claus. The gentleman who visited Robert and Ally for years on Christmas Eve. Good to see him. Still looks like Santa. Beard and all!

The U.S. Open played as I thought it would yesterday. Normally. The first round the day before made the course look extremely easy. Some announcers were suggesting the course was not that hard. It was yesterday.

Rickie Fowler hanging in there. Still in first place at -10. Rory McIlroy 2 strokes back at -8.

The rough is horrible. The worst I have seen. A lot of the pros found the rough yesterday. Dustin Johnson found the rough on one of his drives yesterday and ended up taking a quadruple bogey 8 on the hole. From one patch of rough to another.

Mar-a-Lago Judge Cannon must be replaced at some point. The sooner the better. Yesterday I advised that in her 2 1/2 years as a federal judge, she has only sat on 4 cases. Found out the four cases trial time totaled 14 days.

As I wrote yesterday, Trump, the government and the American people deserve better.

I received Maggie Haberman’s Confidence Man as a Christmas gift. Great reading. Except it’s too long! Five hundred eleven pages. Like reading War and Peace. I only have so much time a day for personal reading. Blog research eats up a lot of my reading time. Ergo, six months later I am still reading Haberman’s story about Donald Trump.

Yesterday I was on page 437. “Divide and conquer” was the issue.

Haberman refers to Trump as being the first U.S. President who did not try to unite the American people. He tried and continues to try to “divide us.” She refers to Hitler playing the same game of divide and conquer. It is actually a policy of destroying a people. Hitler succeeded in convincing the German people to follow him using the practice. Trump playing the same game.

In spite of being too long, interesting reading. One cannot argue with her observation.

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was my day. A Louis day.

A manicure and pedicure. The hedonism within me enjoys both. Especially, the pedicure.

Then to Hogfish for a late lunch.

The bartender Julia came over immediately to tell me Brian and Jane had been in the day before and left instructions to buy me a drink when I came in. How nice! Especially after they and another couple bought my dinner two nights earlier at La Te Da.

On the infrequent occasion I now drink, it is after 5. Too early for the drink yesterday. I passed.

I’ve already e-mailed to thank them. Nice people.

Following lunch, sat at the bar awhile reading a local newspaper.

Spent the balance of the afternoon and early evening watching the opening round of the U.S. Open. Great golf!

Richie Fowler tied for first at -8. Rory McIlroy 2 strokes behind at -6.

I’m going to miss much of this afternoon session. Hospital tests. One an MRI of my heart.

Seated at the bar next to me was Joshua Fredrick and another gent. “Josh” also or Dave. Not sure.

Joshua seated next to me explained his parents had purchased and just moved into their “retirement home” on Summerland Key. I wished them well.

Joshua a recently retired executive officer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Attended our local college for one year years ago and then moved on to complete his degree elsewhere. He is seeking to resettle here in the Keys if he is able to secure a position requiring his talents. Diving and other oceanic matters, especially ocean related contamination problems.

We chatted briefly. I found him most enjoyable and knowledgeable. My environmental background made me familiar with his talents and their value to our area.

I am compelled to return to Toni Tarracino. One of the loveliest persons I have known.

I reported her death yesterday. She had moved to Tarpon Springs to live with her daughter. I was unaware the reason for the move was because she had cancer. Required big city treatment. Tampa and its nearby hospitals.

One or two days before her death, one of her cancer doctors advised Toni’s numbers “were good.” Whether in remission or cured, I am not sure. However, good enough that Toni and her family were thrilled. Toni was making plans to return to Key West in the Fall. One or two nights later, Toni died. In her sleep. Nothing to do with the cancer.

A heavy! Especially since it had nothing to do with the cancer and almost immediately following the numbers were good report from her physician.

I am told her ashes are being returned for burial in Key West and a social gathering will be held in her honor. I shall keep you advised as I learn more.

On June 6, 1858, Abraham Lincoln accepted the Illinois Republican Party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate. Lincoln said the slavery issue had to be resolved, declaring “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Lincoln lost the election.

Two years later, he was elected President of the United states.

A bad day in American history: This day in 2015. Donald Trump launched his successful campaign to become President with a speech at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Recall he and Melanie coming down the escalator.

Judge Cannon does not belong sitting in judgment on the Trump Mar-a-Lago prosecution. Her criminal case experience in her 2 1/2 years on the bench is 4 trials.

Trump, the government, and the people of the U.S. deserve better.

Trump apparently never heard of the admonition: If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.

One of Poland’s beautiful beach and forest trail areas is Hel (spelled correctly). It is reached by bus route 666, which from religious perspectives is also the number of the beast.

For ten years, religious groups have been pressing the transport operator to change the route’s number. A Catholic group referred to it as  “Satanic stupidity.” He “buckled” under the weight of the complaints and changed it to 669. The new route number 669 has its own built in sexual connotation. Wonder if any of the religious complainers had anything to say about it?

A Citizens’ Voice comment today: “Between Pride Month and Fantasy Fest, Key West is Sodom and Gomorrah.”

A sick comment by an obviously sick person. Most likely a religious fanatic.

Live and let live. Those who are opposed need not attend or participate. It’s a big country. Many other cities they can visit.

Congratulations in order for Al Pacino. His “friend” Noor Alfallah gave birth to their son.

Pacino is 83, Noor 29.

For Pacino, an ego booster. For the new born, could be a calamity in his later yeas. There is a good chance his formative years will be spent without the guidance of a father. Eighty three is no age to make babies!

The U.S. Open began yesterday. What a day!

Not only birdies galore, holes in one and eagles. It was nice to once again watch pro golfers do what they train to do. Put the ball in the hole in few shots.

Though a pleasure to watch, I can’t believe the golfers will have the same success over the next 3 days.

Enjoy your day!

Captain Tony Tarracino fathered 13 children. One was named after him. A daughter, Toni. A legend and icon in her own right. She died last week in Tarpon Springs where she had been residing in recent years with her daughter. She died in her sleep.

She loved her dad Captain Tony deeply. It was obvious. Her goal in life seemed to be to keep his memory alive and loved. She spoke and wrote frequently of him. For many years following his death threw a birthday party in his honor at Captain Tony’s. I was one of the invited guests. Honored to have been invited.

Toni grew up in a bar and a boat. With her dad by her side. The stories she could tell and did tell.

I wrote several blogs re Toni. One 11/15/18 titled Toni Tarracino Shares Her Legacy. I share with you the portion applicable to her today.

Captain Tony is a Key West legend. An icon. Remembered. Revered.

His former bar on Greene Street still bears his name. The bar inside and out as it was in his day.

Toni one of his children. Today, a concierge at the Marriott Beachside. Plus involved in a multitude of other things like marrying people, planning weddings, painting and blog writing.

Her blog is titled Sharing My Key West Legacy. http://tonitarracino.com. One of the best I have read. She has her hands on everything Key West.

I told Toni her material was so good I would be plagiarizing her recollections on occasion.

She wrote of the West Martello Fort. Its history. Today home of the Garden Club and a wedding venue. She mentions the Autograph Tree. Never heard of it. Yet, she knew.

The tree stands at the entrance to the Fort. People have scratched and otherwise written their names and initials on the leaves over the years.

Another story involves the fish sitting on the outside of Capt. Tony’s bar.  Second floor level. People always turning their backs to the fish and trying to throw quarters into its open mouth.

Toni shared the origin of the custom.

As a girl, she helped out at the bar. There actually was a slow season then. The summer. The bar was hot. She and other staff would take benches outside and sit on them. The heat inside too much.

One of those sitting with Toni was a rabid Larry Bird fan. He used to stand, yell “top of the key” and try to throw quarters in the fish’s mouth.

Toni and friends thought it too hot for him to do it as he was. They convinced him to stand on the curb on his toes with his back to the fish. And then try to successfully throw quarters into the fish’s mouth.

A tradition was born. You know the story. A continuing event born out of heat, boredom, and today a bit of alcohol.

May Toni rest in peace. A better daughter no man could have had.

The title resounds of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, the  humorous and enjoyable movie of yesteryear. Without the sex.

I experienced a most enjoyable evening last night. Dinner with Jane, Brian, Linda and Rick at La Te Da. Jack Baron brought us together. Jane and Brian are avid blog readers. Linda and Rick may be also. However, I did not pick up on it in the varied topics we discussed. Some serious, many funny.

Jane and Brian are Baron collectors. Many pieces. 

Jane had most on her cell phone and showed them to me. Acrylics, prints and figurines. She and Brian are into retirement and now live in a large RV. Their new home is filled with Jack’s works. Brian is into the dealers and costs. He appeared adept at negotiating price.

All live in northern Florida. They are spending a few days in Marathon. Swam on Sombrero Beach yesterday. A lovely place. Never put my toe in the water there. However, I have always been impressed with the beach when I drove by on US 1.

Brian and Rick are brothers who operated a building construction business. Now retired. Jane a retired nurse, Linda retired as a safety inspector from the insurance business.

There was much to discuss. Trump, of course. We are birds of a feather in that regard.

I mentioned how I have missed the last 3 major holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. These people are great! I have an open invitation to spend any I wish with them. We were not new fiends, we were old friends who got together for an evening of fun.

I shall be talking with Rick later in the week. He had his aortic valve replaced in his 50’s. He is well versed with the problem. I cannot wait to spend some time with him on the phone.

We shared experiences all night. We were one of the first tables to be occupied. Drank a bit before ordering. Sat and chatted long after finishing dinner. We were the next to last table to leave.

My new friends forever: Jane, Brian, Linda and Rick.

Trump made history yesterday. First President to be federally indicted. Quite  distinction. He should be proud. In due course, he will be twice as proud when he is indicted for January 6.

The Guardian described Trump’s arrest and arraignment as “ugly,” but also “democracy in action.”

Trial proceedings should be televised. I appreciate it is against present rules. The media should apply for an exception. The trial will be the most important in American history. The people need to see it to help heal the division that separates us.

Not many appeared outside the Miami Courthouse. The rants to come, carry guns, etc. never achieved. I suspect the results and articles concerning January 6 put the fear of God in many who did not want to recreate the scene. Not worthy of a jail term.

It happens! Fortunately, only 3-4 times a year worldwide.

The dead wake.

The most recent involves an Ecuadorian woman. Bella Montoya. Declared dead. At her wake, she surprised family members when she showed signs of life from her coffin. Bella began hitting on the side of the coffin and breathing heavy.

Just 2 weeks ago in the India railroad wreck, a father refused to accept his 24 year old son’s death. He went looking for his son’s body in a makeshift morgue. A hand hanging from under a body cover was seen twitching. It was his son’s. He was alive.

Davie, Florida is moving to a 4 day work week.

Instead of a 5 day 8 hour schedule, municipal employees will now work a 4 day 10 hour shift.

I see nothing wrong with it. The public is not cheated. Employees still working a 40 hour week. The employees themselves will enjoy a 3 day weekend.

Today’s Citizens’ Voice: “My opinion is the streets of Key West should be paved before we spend any more on bike paths.”

I agree!

Not because I am anti-bike, rather because our streets are a mess.

Such a pleasure now to drive Bertha Street. Repaved. A delight!

Time to look at other long and busy Key West streets like Eaton. A bumpy ride throughout.

I had such a good time dining out last night that I am going to follow it up with lunch today at Harpoon Harry’s. Thanksgiving turkey dinner special.

Enjoy your day!

One of the many comments made by Trump the past few days was: “See you in Miami on Tuesday!” 

The invitation to his followers similar to those made prior to January 6.

An invitation to violence? Perhaps. 

Trump made a similar one for his Manhattan indictment. Few showed. Those that did were not violent.

Is  the Miami court appearance today to be different? Rhetoric is running hot. Some calling for blood. Some calling for a civil war.

It is claimed mass protests are planned for this afternoon. Some persons promise to come well armed.

Some of the comments.

“MAGA will make Waco look like a tea party.” Written by 1776take2 re the planned protest to The Donald.

GOP Representative Andy Briggs tweeted his 730,000 Twitter followers: “We have now reached a war phase. Eye for an eye.”

Another Donald member wrote: “Who’s coming with me on Tuesday? I will be the one in the (fuck around and find out) armor, easy to find, KEK on the back collar…..I will be there peacefully to speak up about this injustice, legally I will also be armed, well armed.”

Another Donald member: “Revolution now.”

Another: “I want blood. I want fucking blood.”

The Proud Boys are making noise, also.

On Twitter, GOP Representative Clay Higgins posted what “appeared to be a battlefield command” that featured militia talk, referenced military grade maps, and told Trump supporters to “know your bridge.”

Even religious groups are involved. The Christian conservative Florida Republican Assembly advised they have chartered 4 buses from all corners of the State to bring Trump fans to Miami Tuesday for what they describe as the “America First Freedom Road Trip.”

Recall Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake. She organized a rally in Palm Beach for last night and said she planned to be in Miami today. She made it clear that Trump supporters should come armed. She spoke at a Georgia Republican Conference Saturday where she said, “We’re at war, people – we’re at war.”

Over the weekend, Trump shared a meme about his indictment with a caption declaring: “THIS IS NOT A GAME, THIS IS WAR.”

War being suggested from the top down.

What will happen? Quite frankly, I don’t know. I am not sure. I suspect and hope no more than what showed up in New York City. A small group of relatively silent protesters. My concern is that a small spark can set off a conflagration of some size.

Time will tell.

What a Sunday! And I never left the house!

My day began at 5 am. Ended at 11 pm. 

My usual rise and shine time is 5 to 6. I immediately go to work on the blog. Takes till 11 am to finish. Sometimes to noon.

I went to work on the blog and had it completed around 11. Immediately went to the TV. The Canadian Open Final Round! Sloan interrupted me around 1. We had work to do. Lost an hour from the golf. She left and I glued myself to the TV through early evening. The tournament took longer than normal. A two way tie that took 4 holes to determine the winner.

Canadian Nick Taylor and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood pitted against each other.

Taylor won it on the 4th playoff hole by sinking a 72 foot putt for an eagle. Wow! There was a special joy involved. The huge crowd went wild. It was the first time since 1954 that a Canadian had won the Canadian Open. Even I was excited!

The Tony Awards went on the air at 8. Great show! Unusually so. One of the best theatrical awards shows I have seen in my lifetime.  

Two “cast” members brought age to mind. My age, though I sensed I was in better shape than the two men involved. 

Joel Grey received a life time award, Barry Manilow was an award presenter. Their ages obvious. Not only face wise, but also in their walk. Both stiff legged and slow. Whatever, I was pleased to see them both. Grey brought back memories of Cabaret for which he had received years ago the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Manilow for the many songs he sang that I enjoyed.

At this stage of my life, age plays a part in everything. There was an award for Best Musical Revival.

I discovered Broadway in 1960. It captured me. I could not see enough Broadway musicals. Plays did not move me.

My second Broadway show was Camelot. It has returned to Broadway as a revival and was up for an award. I saw it when Robert Goulet was still in the cast playing Lancelot.

In 1979, I saw Sweeney Todd in its first season on Broadway. I was not particularly impressed. A female barber slicing the customers throat with a razor and then turning his body into hamburger meat. As I today enjoy manicures and pedicures, back then I occasionally enjoyed a barber shave. Smooth and close. The next time I sat in a barber’s chair for a shave, I was very uncomfortable. All I could think of was Sweeney Todd.

It was the last time I ever had a barber’s shave.

Silvio Berlusconi died. The former three time Prime Minister who led three different governments was 86.

He was loved and hated. Yet, respected by all – even his opponents. One commented following his death: “A void that can never be filled.”

Berlusconi had several homes. His main one was in Portofino. I visited Portofino several times. My father thought it was the most beautiful place he had ever seen.

From my favorite drinking spot on the water, I could clearly see Berlusconi’s home and yacht. The man lived well. The house monstrous and gorgeous. The greenery surrounding it had to cost a ton to maintain. Trimmed to perfection all the time. The yacht one of those 150 footers.

The man was a close friend of Putin. Putin visited him frequently. They were close. Putin’s daughter spent a whole summer residing with the Berlusconi family in Portofino. Some time later, Putin had a home built for himself near Berlusconi’s.

Berlusconi’s career was a checkered one. Sex scandals were commonplace. He particularly liked young ladies. Underaged ones. Was arrested, tried and subsequently acquitted for one such dalliance. Corruption scandals of all sorts followed him. He was finally convicted for tax fraud and spent one year in home confinement in his Milan residence.

I’m curious what type of persons and crowd size will appear in Miami for Trump’s arraignment tomorrow. Recall, in New York extremely few appeared for Trump’s arraignment there.

Everyone wants to sun at the beach in this hot weather. Even a bear.

Yesterday, a bear walked out of the ocean and ran through bathers at a crowded beach in Destin, Florida.

The bear appeared scared,  ran away and has not been found.

Bears are not uncommon in the area. A veteran charter boat captain  said, “They swim around the bay. Sometimes they go for a joy swim.”

A Citizens’ Voice comment. One which makes sense: “Any anti-drag legislation is absurd. The responsibility lies on the parents and not on the state. Any sane adult who goes to a drag show knows what to expect. Any sane adult who goes to a drag show with children knows what to expect. Responsibility starts at home.”

In my 30 years in Key West, I’ve generally attended a drag show with visiting guests who wanted to see one. Never saw any kids, except for grown up ones, who attended.

Enjoy your day!