RUSSIANS AT THE DINNER TABLE

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Gail Collins in a recent New York Times column commented…..Russia worked hard to get Donald Trump elected President. What did they get out of it? Multiple high level investigations…..these days in Washington you’d be much better off being a Mexican.

As to the Syria bombing, I believe these Middle East battles are not our headache. Especially a civil war. Our military should not die in such a fight. We are not the world’s protector.

However if fight we must, then let’s do it right. Hit ’em hard and hit them once. So hard they will not question whether we will return for a second visit.

We should have wiped out all six of Syria’s air bases in one night. Assad’s air force is his strongest military arm.

Six wiped out air bases proof to Assad and the world that the U.S. does not screw around.

Roostica for an early dinner last night. Limoncello wings.

Then to Tammy’s for a manicure. What a business! I am proud of Tammy and her husband Ricky. They work hard and deserve every success they are enjoying.

Then to bocce. Another no joy in Mudville evening. Team lost 2 of 3 games. Details bitter. Won’t even share them.

Something is wrong. The team is not playing as it has the past several seasons.

Weather changed. I woke in the night to a roar. A constant roar. It was the wind. Still blowing. From the north. 20-30 mph. Brought temperature down. From high 70’s at night to 65 last night. High today 75. Down from 87. Sixty five tonight again.

Amazing how Key West weather changes on the flip of a coin.

Our local Florida Keys Community College is to be complimented. There will be an April 12 ribbon cutting. Opening an era of offering an Associate Degree in Culinary Management. Needed in a  tourist destination community like Key West.

Enjoy your day!

 

TO ARMS, TO ARMS, THE BRITISH ARE COMING…..

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Today marks the anniversary of two notable events in the history of the United States. I make mention of them in reverse order.

On this date in 1942, the Doolittle Raiders bombed Tokyo and other Japanese cities. It was the U.S.’s  first retaliatory attack following December 7.

Doolittle represents a World War II happening. Next, a Revolutionary War one.

It was April 18, 1775. The British attacked Lexington and Concord. Paul Revere made his famous ride making colonists aware the British were coming. To arms, to arms, the British are coming.

Revere’s ride covered 20 miles.

His ride and words were made famous in a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

There was another rider. Lost to history. Few aware he even existed. His name, Israel Bissell.

Bissell was a 23 year old dispatch rider.His ride began the next day. He rode south spreading word of the Revolution. He started in Connecticut.  Then to New York. He kept going. Philadelphia next.

Bissell covered 350 miles in six days. He literally rode one of the horses to death.

Revere only rode 20 miles.

History remembers Revere and not Bissell because again Longfellow wrote of Revere.

No one wrote a poem about Bissell till moe than 200 years later. In 1995, a Massachusetts poet Clay Perry gave Bissell a poem of his own: Listen my children, to my epistle, of the long, long ride of Israel Bissell, who outrode Paul by miles and time, but didn’t rate a poet’s rhyme.

Spent most of my yesterday writing this week’s KONK Life column. Clarence Thomas / Anita Hill. The confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Justice which took place 25 years ago. From a personal and factual perspective. Insight into Thomas’ tainted victory.

Took a break. Went out on the deck for a few minutes. When I was going back into the house, I forgot about the screen door. I have a swollen nose and broken glasses.

I was beat in the evening. Took a shower. Intended to go to bed. Instead I stretched out in the recliner chair and watched Mutiny on the Bounty for the 200th time.

Key West has bicycle problems. Too many, failing to stop for lights and stop signs, etc. Marlin County in California has similar problems. Its concern is with speeding.

Speeders in Marlin County beware. Anything over 15 mph is considered speeding. Radar is being used. Tickets given.

Enjoy your day!

 

BIKE RIDING IN KEY WEST

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Bicycle riding a problem in Key West. A problem for bike riders, cars and pedestrians. Anyone who says it is not does not, does not know what he/she is talking about.

Note the State of Florida gives Key West a ranking as the top Florida city for fatal crashes involving bikes. ‘Nuff said.

Key West has hired a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. His name Chris Hamilton. He comes to us from Virginia where he was involved with transportation issues. Says he has been visiting Key West for 20 years. He is now living on Stock Island and rides his bike to work at Habana Plaza on Flagler every day. No problems.

Hamilton claims it is a joy to bike ride in Key West. He always feel safe.

Respectfully, Hamilton does not know what he is talking about.

The bike problem is not on Stock Island or Flagler. It is primarily in Old Town and on Northern Boulevard. I suggest he ride his bike on Simonton from Caroline to Front late afternoons between 5 and 6. Duval in the afternoon. The length of Caroline, also.

It is an obstacle course. for vehicle drivers trying to avoid hitting tourists bike riding. Includes families with young kids and seniors who have not been on a bike in 50 years.

The problem is not with local bike riders. It is with the tourists. Don’t tell me there are not enough tourist bike riders to be a problem. Check the number of bicycles rented daily in Old Town.

I have a cold. I have not had one in years. A head cold. My fault. This has been a cold and wet week. I am on the anti-gravity treadmill five days a week. Raise a big sweat.

I immediately leave the building when I am done. Sweating away and no jacket. The car a 100 feet away. Normally, no problem. In this week’s cold, a big problem.

I deserve the sneezing and stuffed head I am undergoing this morning.

No treadmill for me today.

Immediately following the treadmill, I was at Lori’s getting a haircut. Still sweating.

Last night, a new experience. An English speaking opera at The Studios of Key West. A Thousand Splendid Suns. The lives of females in a Muslim country. Very subservient. Forcibly so.

The opera a work in progress. We only saw the first act. There is more to come at some time.

I went to learn about female life in an Arab nation. I learned nothing new. The ill treatment of women shown was what is already known by most. It was hard for me to follow the forceful singing. The sheer volume deafened the sound.

I am being critical, I guess. The story took too long to tell. I actually dropped off in sleep two times.

I compliment the Studios for offering this performance. Key West is bare of opera activity. I also compliment the performers. In spite of my negative comments.

Dinner followed at Hot Tin Roof.

Kissing is the title of this week’s KONK Life column. A history of kissing. The article was linked to my Key West Lou website this morning. It is also carried in today’s E-Blast.

I will not be doing my usual friday noon 15 minute radio interview with Don Riggs today.

Enjoy your day!

DAVID TAYLOR / DOUBLEHEADER BLOG

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I had computer problems yesterday. Of my making. Did not know how to correct. Sloan not available. Took me till last night to figure it out.

Ergo, no blog yesterday. Sorry. Today, a doubleheader.

I was out early New Year’s day. Around 4. Did some late partying. Grabbed a bite at Hot Tin Roof. My intent was then to return home to watch a game.

I was walking by the Chart Room. Looked inside and saw David sitting alone at the side bar. Went in to say hello and Happy New Year! Had no desire to drink. Wanted to get home.

A gentleman stood up at the table nearby. It was David Taylor. David is from Kentucky. He has been a loyal blog reader for years. Comments occasionally. I was happy to see him. Met his wife Marilyn and friends Martin and Randy.

Martin and Randy are from North Dakota. North Dakotans are smart people. They went for the pipe line. Everyone earning top dollar. MacDonald paying $20 an hour.

I shared a few words and left. I did not want to be late for the game. I hope David and friends will be here the rest of the week and we run into each other again. If not, next year! I would like to have a drink with you, David.

The Citizens’ Voice has been having an ongoing discussion re the cost of bicycles in Key West. Someone reported two bikes were stolen at the Bight. One $2,600 and the other $1,500. The numbers on the high side. However, bicycles are expensive in Key West.

Someone wrote no bike is worth more than $75. In Key West, one is. As with everything else, a bike costs mucho dollars. Probably half the Key West population are without cars and use a bike for everyday transportation. Cars are not required. Especially if you live in Old Town. Key West is a small island.

Go out and try to buy a used bicycle. $300, if you are lucky. More like $700-800. New ones can be off the wall.

Yesterday, I did a blog which I never sent out. Wiped it. The reason being I was a bit nasty in my comments re an incident. Better to say nothing. I did not write another blog. I was still upset. I wrote a brief note saying no blog because my pen was poisoned.

I received a ton of comments. Why is your pen poisoned? Some via e-mail, some by phone and a couple in person. That which was bothering me, is over now. I am back to me.

Syracuse lost to Miami yesterday 64-51. It is going to be that kind of season. Never would have expected it with the basketball team. Even the mighty shall fall!

Manicure with Tammy yesterday afternoon. Wow! Business was terrific. Women standing waiting for manicures and pedicures. I make an appointment so had no problem.

Tammy was surprised by the crowd. All appeared to be locals.

I think the four day holiday weekend had something to do with it.

Anna from Novara e-mailed yesterday to wish a Happy New Year! She also complained of Italy’s immigration problem as it is personally impacting her.

The immigrants are mostly Muslims from North Africa. Their goal Sweden and Denmark. Novara part of the route to those countries..

Anna was upset. Anna lives in a high rent district. Extremely expensive and beautiful 1,500 year old buildings. She has owned her apartment thirty years.

She advises the immigrants are using the magnificent court yard to defecate and urinate.

Immigration continues and will continue to be a problem in most European nations for several years.

I spent a lot of time yesterday researching this week’s KONK Life column. At the moment, the title will be the United States Invades Russia. We did. Back at the end of World War I. The Russians have never forgotten.

Enjoy your Sunday!