UPSIDE DOWN PINEAPPLE IN SHOPPING CART

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Yesterday, I received a site to look at from a reader. I did…..If you are in a grocery store and put a pineapple upside down in your shopping cart, it means you are into “extracurricular activities outside of marriage.”

I went to Publix. Had to shop anyhow. Rushed to the fruit counters. No pineapples!

Two sunday dinners yesterday within two hours of each other. The second was the problem. I did not want to insult Dee who had prepared it for me.

I enjoyed an early sunday dinner with Rich and Cynthia Boettiger at their home. Both good company. Rich and I go at it politically. Cynthia sits back . Speaks rarely. When she does, it is a pearl of wisdom.

On the drive home, I received a call from Dee. I had not seen Dee in three months. She said she was driving down from Cudjoe with a special meal she had prepared for me.

Dee, a smart woman. She has a PhD. in psychology. Knows the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

In comes Dee with a huge bowl of pasta. Angel hair. Covered in a delicious smelling sauce buried in grated cheese. My people call it sauce. Dee is from Boston where it is called gravy.

I did not wish to offend. Ate the huge dish she put before me. Then a second helping she pushed upon me.

Cynthia and Dee back to back! A little heavy.

Dee left. I collapsed in bed. Watched the end of the Cleveland/Chicago game. Chicago won. Still have a long road ahead to ultimate victory. Going to be interesting.

In the Comments section of this morning’s Key West Citizen was a compliment to the City for the fine clean up job of Duval following the parade.  Seventy thousand at the parade saturday night. Duval a mess afterwards. By 8 sunday morning, pristine clean.

It has always been such. When I was an early morning Duval  walker, I always took note of the clean up. Impressive!

Bocce. Don’s Place now 18-6. Tied for second with Hell’s Rangers who recently defeated Don’s 3-0.

The famous poet John Keats was born this date in 1795. He died 21 years later.

I have mentioned Keats often. Thirty five years ago, the family and I were spending a month in the Rome area. I tripped across Keats’ home. Next door to the Spanish Steps. I was able to view the bedroom, his final resting place. As well as a room filled with his poems handwritten on paper under protective glass.

I recommend any one visiting Rome to visit Keats’ residence. A moving experience.

Now to the second installment of a writing motivated by Wright Langley’s History of the Rotary Club of Key West. This installment covering the years 1915-1919. Note that the history of the Key West Rotary parallels that of the United States in certain instances.

Rotary International was born in 1905. Intended to be an international service organization. Service above self, the motto.

The aim was to bring business and professional leaders together to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world.

Rotary International was ten years old when in 1915 Key West was asked to form a Rotary Club. The chair of the organizing committee was local attorney Jefferson B. Browne.

A group of community leaders met for informal luncheon meetings in a Duval Street store between Front and Greene Streets.

The Key West Rotary was officially organized on March 17, 1916. It was elected to membership in the International Rotary on April 1, 1916.

Five officers plus twenty six additional charter members made up the group. Attorney Browne was elected President. Other officers consisted of attorney William Malone, jeweler Frank Johnson, and grocery store manager George A. T. Roberts.

Rotary sought the best men to comprise the local Rotary. Not out of snobbery. Rather to assure that the men  selected had the power and influence to get things done.

President Browne wrote to Rotary Secretary Chelsey R. Perry in Chicago…..We have the best men in the City in our club…..We intend to make our club a strictly high class one.

The influence and ability to get things done was soon evident. They were instrumental in organizing a Key West chapter of the American Red Cross in 1917. The club also provided the leadership in forming the Key West Chamber of Commerce.

By 1916, World War I was raging in Europe. The United States joined the conflict in April 1917 when Congress signed a war resolution.

The War was not the only major Congressional vote in 1917. Later that year, the Volstead Act was passed. The Eighteenth Amendment. Outlawed the manufacture, sale or transportation of alcoholic beverages. The States finally ratified the law January 29, 1919.

From that date forward, Key West’s economy shot upward. Key West became a significant port of ingress for alcohol. Especially, rum from Cuba. Key West acquired the title of rumrunning capital of the world.

Nineteen nineteen was memorable for the Key West Rotary. Two of its members attended the Rotary International Convention in Edinburgh, Scotland as delegates. Drs. William Warren and Joseph Renedo.

Enjoy your day!

 

FULL DAY AND NIGHT

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Busy day yesterday. One thing after another. All fun.

Syracuse played Boston College at noon. I figured I could watch till 1:15 before getting ready for Joseph Lyles retirement party at Hot Tin Roof. Got hooked on the game. Stayed till half time. Syracuse ahead 14-13.

Obviously got to Joseph’s party late. People were streaming out as I arrived. Joseph the last to leave. I was able to apologize, hug him and wish him well.

The party was moving over to the Pier House Beach Bar. Walked over with Joseph and Methias.

One end of the bar packed with party persons. Sat and chatted with Jean Thornton awhile. A lovely person.

Only one drink. A bloody Mary. Following which I was off and running. Home to find out how Syracuse did and watch some Alabama/Texas Tech football before leaving for bocce.

Syracuse won 28-20. A good victory. Any victory a good one. Syracuse now 4-4.

Bocce was a make up game with Hell’s Rangers. It had rained the night scheduled.

I would have been better off keeping my date with Jenna Stauffer. Don’s Place lost all three games. A beating! Lost the middle game 16-0.

Prior to last night, Hell’s Rangers had lost 5 out of its last 6 games. They were out for blood. They played very well and we were simply not with it. One of those nights.

The cheeseburgers, hot dogs and salads were delicious. Compensated for the defeat.

The temperature by day yesterday was 82. Last night 75. A very cold 75. The breeze off the ocean makes it feel cold. I was in a sports shirt and shorts. Froze the whole time! When I got home, I turned off the air conditioning, had a hot cup of tea with honey and buried myself under the covers. I did not kick the cold feeling till 3 this morning.

Big night tonight! Jenna! Love her! We have known each other close to 10 years. Early on she produced my TV show for three years. We are having dinner at Berlin’s.

I will not be doing Fantasy Fest every evening. After all the years attending, I now pick and choose. Probably will not return till Thursday night. Toga Party! I go to watch, not participate. It is the voyeur in me.

Fantasy Fest’s King and Queen were crowned Friday night at the Coronation Ball. King Christopher Rounds and Queen Jane Rohrschneider. I know Chris. have never met Jane.

King and Queen are determined by the number of dollars each candidate raises for AIDS Help. Chris and Jane raised the most ever. $368,000.

Chris is much younger than me. He grew up in the Boonville, New York area. Some 15 miles from my home town Utica.

I first met Chris when he bought Antonia’s. Sold it several years later and purchased La Te Da. Three years ago he did a complete renovation of La Te Da.

At all times, La Te Da’s food and entertainment the best. Conversation great. People friendly. La Te Da’ is a gay/straight venue which I believe contributes to its ambiance.

Diana Millikan sent me a site to read. The History of the Rotary Club of Key West. Authored by a Wright Langley in 1935. Covers the years 1915-1971.

Boring but interesting. Every now and then a happening that surprises. New knowledge.

When the William Hackley saga began appearing in the Key West Citizen, I thought it was a waste. I quickly became hooked on it, however.

I think the Rotary history  might result in a similar experience for my readers.

The History is lengthy. I plan on breaking it down into segments based on years. Everything will not be reported. Really boring. I will be picking and choosing. The result will be a history of Key West during the years in question as well as a Rotary history.

Tomorrow will be installment #1: 1915-1919.

Hope it tickles your fancy.

Enjoy your Sunday!

JUDY WOOD MEMORIAL

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A pleasant afternoon yesterday. Lay in the shade by the pool. Read and snoozed.

First stop last night was the Tavern ‘n Town memorial event for Judy Wood. Two groups of people. Locals at the bar. Another group in the back of the dining room were special tables, food, photos, etc. had been set up. Knew none. I assume out of town family.

Bobby Nesbitt and Carmen Rodriquez singing. Bobby telling Judy stories.

I believe Judy was in her mid 60s at the end. Age has a way of adding pounds, sagging facial muscles, etc. My body is a wreck at 81.

Judy’s photos from another time shocked me. A knockout! Such a beautiful woman!

May she rest in peace.

Tavern ‘n Town was too crowded. Drove over to Outback for dinner. A small prime rib.

Then to bocce. Don’s Place was playing the Sons of Italy. Don’s Place won 2 and lost 1. The Sons of Italy played well. Don’s Place nowhere near well. Two of the games were close. Don’s Place won  the last game easily.

Don’s Place still in first place alone. The other two top teams lost 1 or 2 games.

Met Jerry. He plays for the Sons of Italy. Not Italian. One human family extends to bocce teams.

Jerry a former Navy reservist. Thereafter involved with two credit unions. Now, totally retired.

Love the guy! He reads this blog! Has been reading it! He asked if my name was Lou and did I write, etc. That is how we got started.

Syracuse/Boston College tomorrow. Boston College a 4.5 point favorite. My fingers are crossed.

Rick Pitino. Famous basketball coach. Successful at his work. Coaching at Louisville for the past 10 years or so. A winner!

Pitino and Jim Boeheim best of friends. Stood up for each other when married, godfather to each other’s children.

I know Pitino. Not as well as Boeheim. Pitino is a horse lover. He owns, runs and breeds them. I spent some time with him in Saratoga over the years. Watching him buy horses at the Saratoga Horse Sale a memorable experience.

The NCAA has been investigating Pitino. The charges came down yesterday.

The issue involves escorts and strippers who were hired to entertain recruits and players. In the same University dorm where the hopefuls were spending a weekend.

The claim is assistant coach Andre McGee made the arrangements, paid the money, etc. There is no charge that Pitino was aware. However, Pitino is charged similarly as Boeheim was. As head coach, it is his responsibility to know everything going on with the team. The technical terminology “…..for failing to monitor a member of his staff (McGee).”

I thought the charges against Boeheim were bullshit. Different from Pitino’s. He was charged after a 10 year investigation. They had to dig to find something concerning Boeheim. The Pitino investigation only took one year.

Sex procurement a no no. No question about it.

I find it hard to believe Pitino was not aware. A hands on person.

At some point in time, there will be a Pitino suspension. Inevitable.

Tonight, Goombay!

Enjoy your day! And evening!

 

 

 

GIBRALTAR OF THE SOUTH

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There was a time and a man who viewed Key West as the Gibraltar of the South. It was the mid 1930s. The man, Julius Stone.

The 1930s was depression time across the United States. Key West especially hard hit. It was the end of the world. Hard to get to. Little business. No work. Monroe County had filed for bankruptcy.

Julius Stone was the WPA administrator for the State of Florida. He considered things so bad in Key West, that he opened a WPA office there. Only the second in the State.

Stone saw tourism as the way for Key West to improve its economy. He was a precursor. He saw what men like David Wolkowsky would envision in later years.

One of his efforts to improve quality of life in Key West was to have a play locally produced. The Pirates of Penzance.

The historical goodies I share with you I did not find. Credit belongs to snowbird Diana Millikan. Diana is writing a play about Julius Stone and The Pirates of Penzance endeavor. She keeps me informed.

Diana has discovered a rich source of information. The Kennedy Cafe mornings. Elderly conchs meet every morning for coffee and talk. A breakfast club of sorts.

Diana says it is like pulling teeth to get information out of them. She is succeeding, however. A step at a time.

She met Jesse. A woman in her 90s. Her married name she was not able to get. However, her maiden name was forthcoming. Watkins.

Jesse was in attendance at the play on February 19, 1935. She recalled the event vividly. She said George Wills was the leading man. Handsome.

She attended the play with her two older sisters. Diana reported one of the sisters became President of a local bank. Sounds strange for the times. It might have been the woman’s husband.

The write up in the newspaper the next day listed a Mrs. Joseph Cates as seamstress. Diana is trying to find out if the 1935 Cates is a relative of today’s Mayor Cates.

Burt Lancaster was one of America’s great actors. He died at 80 this date in 1994. Lancaster and Key West touched two times.

Lancaster’s first movie was The Killers. The movie was based on Ernest Hemingway’s short story of the same name.

He actually filmed a movie in Key West. The Rose Tattoo. The movie was based on Tennessee William’s play of the same name. The movie was filmed in a house on Duncan Street. Williams lived on one corner of the block and The Rose Tattoo house was on the other.

The Cannonball Run is coming through Key West saturday. Will be on Duval and Front Streets around 3.

The Cannonball is composed of a group of men who own special cars. They like to drive them on strange roads in strange places. Duval not one of those places. However Key West not the destination. The group is headed for Havana, Cuba.

I have a neighbor down the street who participates. He is on in years. The Run is one of the more important events in his live. He has a 1906 or 1914 Rolls Royce. In tip top shape. When last I spoke with him, he had just returned from a run in New Zealand. The cars at some point are shipped to the final destination.

Screwworms on the move. No longer just on Big Pine and No Name Key. Have expanded into Big Torch Key, Middle Torch Key, Little Torch Key, Cudjoe, Ramrod and Summerland Keys. Flies have been found in each place.

The last time there was a screwworm infestation was 30 years ago. Things have become sufficiently bad that the State of Florida has declared a State of Emergency exists.

Tammy for a manicure/pedicure yesterday. Ran into Kate Miano who was getting a pedicure.

Kate is one of Key West’s most dynamic women. Owner of The Gardens. Note that Sunday at the Gardens has opened. Sundays from 5-7. Great music. Good drinks. Excellent company. Mostly locals.

The Judy Wood memorial celebration this evening from 5-7 at Tavern ‘n Town. Sad. Her death continues to bother me. And I did not know her well. Only from the bar.

Afterwards, I shall be off to bocce to watch Don’s Place play. Numero Uno!

Goombay tomorrow night!

The third and final Presidential debate was last night. Trump consistent. An ass. Hillary handled herself well.

Enjoy your day!

 

STONE CRABS

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U.S. politics is at its worst. The world is in turmoil. All take a back seat. Pure unadulterated pleasure the reason. Stone crab season opens tomorrow!

From my perspective, man’s finest food. I cannot wait to gorge myself tomorrow night.

Yesterday began with a noon haircut with Lori. Lori is moving. Was supposed to be this week. Told me yesterday it will be at least another month. Typical of Key West. nothing ever begins or finishes on time.

It’s the sun! Slows everything down, including people.

Lori had to take delivery yesterday of her new chairs. New place not available for storage. They are sitting on the sidewalk in front of her present place of business on Southard. Ain’t no one going to steal them. Hercules needed to move them.

A few doors down Southard is Jay’s new sandwich shop Cuzzy Bubbaz. His grand opening was to have been this past tuesday. I stopped in for lunch after my haircut. Doors locked. Looked in the window. Place a mess. Still under construction.

Ran into Jay at bocce last night. The electrical screwed up. He is required to make changes. It is in the process. He hopes to be open for Goombay.

Can’t win.

The best thing that happened to Don’s Place in bocce was my retirement. The team remains in first place. 16-2. Alone in first place.

Hell’s Rangers had already lost two when I arrived last night. I do not know the result of their third game.

Don’s Place won two without David and Norm last night. David sick and Norm out of town.

Watched Michelle Obama speak yesterday. Outstanding! Trump has to be having trouble walking today.

Several news broadcasters have mentioned that when husband Barack was first elected, she hated public speaking. No more. The woman is another Eleanor Roosevelt!

This morning’s Key West Citizen notes that Trauma Star carried 471 patients in fiscal 2016. Eighty six more than 2015.

The new helicopter has arrived. Not in use yet. The crew still training.

Trauma Star is the County’s free helicopter service for patients who need rushing to a Miami hospital. There is also a private service. Rip off big time! $60,000 a trip and not covered by insurance.

I have mentioned the past few years in this column, in my daily blog and on my podcast show that Putin has become rich as the head of Russia. He gets a piece of everything. Ten to 20 percent.

I might be wrong as to the percentage. Thomas Friedman in a recent New York Times article wrote, “Putin owns some $30 billion in property, hotels and factories.”

Trump has to be doing business in Russia. Borrowing money, especially. Whatever, Putin could own a piece of some of some of Trump’s American properties.

The Cuban missile crisis began today. A U.S. reconnaissance plane took 900 plus photos over Cuba this date in 1962. The photos identified Soviet mid-range ballistic missiles. Pointed at the U.S.

By October 23, Key West had become an armed camp. Fifteen thousand troops. Some berthed in the Casa Marina. Anti-missile weapons and machine guns on Key West beaches.

Cuba was John Kennedy’s first test. He performed well. Russia blinked and the confrontation came to an end.

A visit to Dr. McIvor late today. I continue to tire easily and sometimes gulp a breath or two.

Enjoy your day!

SARAH IS BACK IN TOWN

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Dinner at Roostica last night. The sunday pasta special. Sat at the bar.

Sarah bartending! Back from Greece!

Excited. The trip flowed from her lips. No question she had a good time.

Three days in Athens. The balance of the trip on the island of Crete.

Sarah is a hiker and runner. I was unaware. Her days in Crete were spent hiking through one mountain pass to another and back. Or, up a rocky hill and down.

I would have died!

She had a wonderful time. I have to dine at Roostica more often to get caught up re the entire trip.

The Debate. I kept waiting for the shoe/bomb to fall. Never did. Donald was generally good. The result of the debate was a tie or I’d give Donald the edge.

I remain anti-Trump. His being a thug and bully evident. The man is not qualified in any respect to be President.

Trump and his team say the tape is of no consequence. Eleven years old. Bill Clinton’s shenanigans are more than 20 years old.

Fantasy Fest around the corner. One of the top events each year is Headdress Ball.

This year Headdress will be held under a gigantic tent at Truman waterfront. Tom Luna the emcee. Christopher Peterson and Terri White making special appearances. And of course the Headdress participants.

This years’ event will be the 34th. A record!

I know Headdress Ball from its Pier House days. On the beach. Thousands of people all over the property. Great show. A fun time!

Larry Smith was active with Headdress for many years. Some as Director. Always did an excellent job.

Headdress Ball is held on thursday night. There is another prime event that evening. Sloppy Joe’s Toga Party. Which spills out of the bar and covers 2-3 blocks of Duval. The ladies occasionally showing a personal body part in exchange for beads.

Between Headdress Ball and Toga Party, thursday night my favorite Fantasy Fest time.

Now my enjoyment will be limited to Toga Party. The Waterfront site is too far away for me to make both. I am not complaining, however. I am a voyeur at heart. Toga/bead exchanges more than enough to make my evening.

My bocce team continues to do good. Actually, excellent! Won all three games again thursday. Now 11-1. Tied for first with Hell’s Rangers. The best of the best for years. An interesting match when the two teams meet.

Again, I point out the team is doing better without me than it did with me.

Most of the Atlantic beaches devastated by Matthew are gone. Especially dunes. Have to be fixed. I  observed correcting such a beach problem following Wilma. Key West’s Smathers Beach. Smathers had no dunes, however.

The surge blew the sand across the road. Piled it high between curb and the treeline behind. Like 20 plus feet.

The area stunk. Smell horrible. The sand replete with dead fish and I don’t know what else.

The beach correction a simple process. Two fold.

First, the sand piled on the other side of the street was filtered. A huge screen. Lets the sand pass through. The dead fish and everything else held by the screen.

The sand spread over the former beach.

Still not enough sand. Sand had to be brought in. It is purchased from elsewhere and driven in in dump trucks. The sand dumped on the beach and spread.

Voila! Smathers Beach was as before.

I am trying to recall where the sand came from. Something tells me Bermuda. I could be wrong.

The worst Vice President of modern times was Spiro Agnew. He resigned this date 1973 from the position. After pleading guilty to income tax evasion. The tax evasion charge was based on his taking kick backs while Governor of Maryland and continuing to receive them while Vice President.

I never liked Agnew. He was a law school graduate who never really practiced. Became an Allstate claim adjuster. Allstate claim adjusters back then were not nice guys.

During the campaign, Agnew spoke in extremely disparaging terms about those protesting the Vietnam war. Venom fell from his lips.

The man was a bully. I thought a little crazy, also. He got what he deserved.

Oh, he ran as Vice President on Richard Nixon’s ticket. Nixon resigned less than a year later. Birds of a feather.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

MATTHEW FICKLE…..SO FAR

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Matthew is number one attention wise. Yesterday and will continue through today. Those who live in Key West have experienced weaker hurricanes. Never a 4 or 5 in recent years. The worst of the worst! Fear accompanies those numbers.

It was a typical Key West day yesterday. Sun shining. Unusually hot. The heat index had to be 110.

I visited with Tammy for a manicure. Then lunch at Harpoon Harry’s. People quiet. All thinking…..We lucked out!

It is now predicted Matthew may loop back. Can happen. Earlier this year, a hurricane passed south of the Keys into the gulf of Mexico. Was going to hit Louisiana. Halfway there, it turned around and hit north Florida instead.

You do not know. Not even the professionals. In the final analysis, hurricanes are fickle. They go where they want when they want.

Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach lucked out. Rain and wind. The wind not of hurricane velocity. Matthew may still bring devastation with it as it travels up the Atlantic coast.

I must be honest. Matthew concerned me. A 4 or 5 is bad without question. My best experience so far is a 2. However, I drove through Homestead after Andrew hit. Andrew was a 5.  I was there three weeks after Andrew.

My eyes had never seen such devastation. Not one building left standing. A nuclear bomb could not have done worse property damage wise.

The picture has never left my mind. I definitely would leave if told a 4 or 5 was going to hit us. Better safe than sorry.

Charity is on the minds of those fortunate not to have been hit. Communities in the Keys have already joined together to send aid to the Bahamas. Nine vessels of the Bahamian Defense Force sheltered in Key West harbors the past few days. Bottled water and diapers have been collected from Keys’ citizens. It will be delivered to the Bahamas with the Defense Force. A beginning.

It has been suggested that Key West may experience some flooding. Street flooding. Nothing significant.

Apparently, Matthew’s wind is pushing water southward. As Matthew travels northward. Interesting.

Such will cause street flooding at high tide.

Enjoy your day! Stay safe! Especially those still in Matthew’s path.

CHICKENS DYING?

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Someone commented in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice that the chickens are dying all over the island. The person asked why?

I have not noticed fewer chickens. Perhaps I have not paid attention. If someone agrees with the comment that the chickens are dying, please write and share what you know.

The Tropic Cinema is one of Key West’s gems. In front of the theater standing on the sidewalk is a life size statue of Marilyn Monroe with her skirt blowing upwards. A scene from a movie Marilyn made where she was standing over a subway grid.

The significance of the comment is that scene was filmed this day in 1954.

The Mosquito Control Board met last night. Voted not to proceed with the $4.5 million new building. Instead, voted to construct certain portions so the total cost would be less.

A garage and storage facility would be built. Together with the purchase of three work trailers. Total cost, $2, 995,000.

Sounds like a sales number.

Still don’t know if the number flies. Tax dollars pay for it all. Can the bucks be cut even further? As many people, I no longer have faith in the Board’s judgment.

I learn as I go along. Sometimes late.

There is a new diving experience in Key West. SNUBA. Not snorkeling, not scuba diving. Something between the two.

For those 8-80. Started 20 years ago in Hawaii. Described as an underwater guided tour. Dive certification not required. Ability to swim is. Instruction given before the dive.

My column in KONK Life is on the stands today. A Peek At The Truth.

Don’s Place first last night. No one, but Keith. Don, David, Larry, Boomer and others are in Miami on a golf trip. They will be back today. Eighteen holes the first day, 36 each of the next two days.

Tiring golf! Glad I set the game aside several years ago. We used to play hard, drink hard and stay up most of the night. I got too old for the trips. Could not handle all the fun.

Dinner at the outside bar at La Te Da with Keith. Tonto bartending.

Wednesday is prime rib night at La Te Da. George and Dillon had recommended it to me last week. I went specifically for the prime rib. We were there at 7. No prime rib. A popular wednesday special. Gone by 5.

Enjoyed wings instead.

The Battle of Britain effectively ended this date in 1940. The RAF shot down 56 German planes that day in two separate dogfights.

The next day, Hitler ended daytime air attacks on Britain. The move also postponed indefinitely Hitler’s invasion.

Winston Churchill said re Britain’s RAF pilots:  “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Bocce tonight. The last two weeks have been rained out. I hope to stop by and watch for a while.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

PARTY TIME!

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The Chart Room and Berlin’s walked hand in hand last night.

The Chart Room was packed. Standing was tight. The group in their 60-70s. From the Fort Lauderdale area. Obviously affluent. Celebrating the birthday of one of the group.

The guest of honor was outfitted in a white tuxedo jacket, white shirt, black tie, black shorts and sandals.

I left before the partiers did. Headed for Berlin’s. Dinner at the bar. Emilie bartending. Introduced me to her fellow bartender Sean.

Before you knew it, the Chart Room party group showed up. They had to wait for their table. Ordered drinks. The same for all of them. Key Lime Martinis. Twenty six of them.

Ellie and Shawn lined the 26 martini glasses on the bar. Then proceeded to make the drink and fill the glasses. Done very efficiently. In record time. Not a drop missed.

When things quieted down, Emilie and I chatted a bit. She vacationed in Iceland for two weeks. Loved it! I would like to try it some day.

Sean is an Alabama graduate. A new friend for Jean Thornton.

Everywhere I go lately, I hear people ordering Tito’s vodka. New to me. A relatively new drink. John poured me a very short shot. Tasted good. Did not taste like vodka. Worry not, I shall not be deserting Beefeaters.

I bought the new tire yesterday and had it put on the car. A simple task. Should not take long. Familiar however with how Sears can take forever, people waiting in line, etc, I called and asked if I could make an appointment. Yes. At 8 or 1. I picked 1. Promptly at 1? No, means you are the next car in line. Ok. Better than the other way.

I got there a half hour early. 12:30. Was told it would take 1-1 1/2 hours, in spite of the appointment. Told the counter man I would be in the sitting room reading the newspapers. Ok, I’ll call you.

He forgot me. Two hours later, I went to the counter and asked about my car. Oh, he said. It’s finished. It has been sitting outside quite a while.

You can’t win!

I listened to a Hillary talk mid afternoon. I am getting depressed. She failed to impress me again.

She was speaking quietly and slowly. I have to assume to contrast Trump. Does not come over well.

Her hair was a mess. A real mess. I would assume she has a hair person traveling with her.

I hate to say this, she looked like she was sick.

I saw her in the give and take with reporters an hour later. Hair still a mess. However, it was Hilary talking. Perky! Brightly!

I was home early. Wanted to watch the Syracuse/Louisville game. Caught the second half. A knife in my chest! Syracuse lost 62-28. Defense and offense sucked! Obviously!

This Zika thing is out of control. From Key Haven to Washington to the rest of the world. Out of control as to what to do, allocate money, etc. Not out of control as to number infected in the U.S.. Not yet. Maybe never.

The Oxitec war with Key Haven is turning into Goliath/David situation.

Oxitec is owned by the British company Intrexon. It was recently announced Intrexon had hired a Tallahassee public relations firm to assist Oxitec with the Key Haven and full key votes. The PR firm appears to have raised its ugly head. Jumped into the fray.

There is a lengthy Letter to the Editor in this morning’s KONK E-Blast. Tears apart every argument made by Key Haven residents. Skillfully slices away. Representations not all correct. Some  twisting of the facts. False reasons claimed as to why Key Haven residents are opposed to the testing.

The letter is purportedly by Big Pine’s Walter Lagraves. I question whether he actually wrote the letter. Could it have been the PR people? I do not know Lagraves. If he wrote the letter, I apologize for suspecting he did not. The letter is too long, too knowledgeable and too scientific. A professional opposition paper.

If Lagraves is serious, I suggest he go a step further. He should recommend the testing be done in Big Pine rather than Key Haven.

It’s called put your money where your mouth is!

Enjoy your day!

 

THE LADIES CELEBRATE

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Womenfest has arrived. An international meeting of lesbians and their friends. An annual Key West event.

The weekend will be busy. The ladies take over. Their numbers huge. All kind of fun activities.

Kelly McGillis will be here. She was one of the orangizers of the event back when. You may recall her as the lovely lady in Top Gun opposite Tom Cruise. For several years during her acting career, Kelly lived in Key West. She was an owner of two restaurants with her then husband.

Dancing, singing, pool parties, naked cruises, setting sun cruises, tag football, etc. Go for it ladies! Key West is yours!

Went to bocce last night. To watch. No bocce. The courts were still wet from the morning’s rain. Stopped at Don’s Place. Only Keith from the team there. Talked to him a bit.

Then to the Chart Room. Business good. Chatted with John a while. He is off to Puerto Rico and other points next week. A ten day vacation.

Some Key West from the past.

The Beatles were in Key West for two days years ago. They were flying to Jacksonville to do a show. Hurricane Dora prevented the trip from being completed. They landed in Key West.

The Beatles stayed at the Key Wester Motel. Frolicked in the pool.

After they left, an enterprising young man filled small bottles with water from the pool. Sold them as water the Beatles had swum in.

Bum Farto was a famous Key West Fire Chief. Also a cocaine dealer. He had strong connections with Columbia. He was indicted and headed for jail.

On this day in 1975, he disappeared. Never to be seen again. Many believe he went the way of Jimmy Hoffa.

1855 and William Hackley. Baby better. Expects her to grow soon. Present problem is Baby has thrush. William has a leg problem. Ankle to knee swollen on one leg. No pain. He walks on it.

On this date in 1975, Elvis Presley made his big time TV debut. On the Ed Sullivan Show. The whole world watched. Even me.

Elvis’ moving hips were considered immoral. The TV camera only framed him in from his chest up.

That’s the way it was back then!

I periodically speak of Courmayeur and Chamonix. Places I have visited many times. Places I mention in this blog. Where Anna has been the past week.

Both communities sit on the side of Mont Blanc. The tallest mountain in Europe. Part of the Alps. Awesome appearing!

Anna e-mailed me twice yesterday and the news is talking about the almost disaster on Mont Blanc between the two towns.

Cable cars run up and down the mountain. Go 11,000 feet high.

I did it once about five years ago. From the time the cable car started moving, I was convinced I had made a mistake. As it moved up and I looked down, I knew I had made a mistake. A never ending fall. I was uncomfortable.

Tragedy almost occurred yesterday. Several of the cars stopped half way up. The cables got screwed up. More than 100 people involved. One a 10 year old.

The cable cars are covered gondolas. Helicopters were able to get some out. About 100 were stuck overnight. Blankets, food and water were gotten to them together with a rescue person to keep them calm. All from helicopters.

In  the morning, the remaining 100 were able to get down via the cable cars. Things got fixed.

I was right five years ago. You had to be crazy to get on one!

Look at the photos on the internet. The view below the cable cars is like looking into a never ending deep hole in the earth.

This week’s KONK Life column the Star Spangled Banner…..Birth To Today appears in this morning’s E-Blast and has also been linked to my Key West Lou web page.

Enjoy your day!