STAR TREK MISSION 50 YEARS OLD

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Who would have believed it? The new TV show that first appeared on September 8, 1966. A futuristic show. Called Star Trek, it is still remembered. Fifty years later.

I suspect it is so because the show itself and its characters were believable. There was a quality of honesty. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock examples. Some civil rights thrown in. Recall the different types and colors of those appearing in the shows.

Spent several hours yesterday researching this week’s KONK Life column. I will write it this afternoon. The article involves, surrounds, and emanates from the Star Spangled Banner. It has everything. Francis Scott Key, the burning of Washington, anti-Union blacks, a reluctant British Admiral, a cautious President Woodrow Wilson, and professional football player Colin Kaepernick.

I look forward to writing the column.

Intended to have dinner last night at the Marriott Beachside. Good luck! The bar and restaurant were packed.

Where to go? I did not want to drive into the downtown area. There was a DUI roadblock from 8-3 on Northern Boulevard at the intersection with Bertha and Palm.

Decided to try La Trattoria Oceanside. Glad I did.

Ate at the bar. Most of the time alone. There was time to chat with the bartender. Stephanie. A nice person. Enjoyed her company.

Stephanie is from Long Beach, New York. Long Island. She has been in Key West three years. The snow drove her down here. Understandable. If I never see snow again, it will not bother me.

She has traveled. Spain and London.

We talked politics a bit. Key West real estate. Local restaurant operators. La Trattoria on Duval. And other things.

Stephanie is a personality. I look forward to her company the next time I dine at La Trattoria Oceanside.

Bocce is into two weeks of the new season. Don’s Place is tied with three other teams for first place. Records 5-1.

Hell’s Rangers is one of those teams. Always dangerous. Always good. Don’s Place plays Hell’s Rangers next thursday. A blood bath, guaranteed!

The college football season is upon us. Syracuse beat Colgate friday night 33-7. Winning a big deal. However, not so big when the opponent beaten is considered. Colgate is a Division II school, whereas Syracuse a Division I.

There was a time…..

Colgate was a national champion. Always in the running. A major college team. National Champion in 1916 and 1932.

Syracuse became more powerful and Colgate less. By the end of World War II, Colgate was a second rate team. Syracuse was beating Colgate consistently.

The last time Colgate beat Syracuse was 1950.

Syracuse was National Champion in 1959. Ernie Davis time. Syracuse beat Colgate that year 71-0.

Following the 1961 season, Colgate announced it would not be scheduling Syracuse again.

Friday night therefore was special. Two old foes meeting again after a long lapse.

The two teams have played 66 times. In spite of Syracuse’s dominance in more modern times, Colgate still leads the series 31-30-5.

For some reason, most of the games were played at Syracuse. Many in the old Archibald Stadium.

I remember Archibald clearly. My Father used to take me to Syracuse games back then. From the time I was 8-9 through my high school years. Archibald was not a covered facility. No dome. My recollection is it was cold and rainy for each game. And muddy. Anywhere one walked, it was at least six inches of slop.

All fun, however. I thank my Dad for having exposed me to the experience.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

PRE-K TO 12 EDUCATION FAILING

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Key West was quiet this week. Very quiet. Few tourists. Kids are returning to school. Parents busy with them.

This week will be likewise slow. Then comes Labor Day weekend. It will be no room at the inn!

Spent quite a bit of yesterday researching this week’s KONK Life column. Don’t have a title yet. The article will concern the failure of standardized testing and Bush 2’s No Child Left Behind.

A major problem as you will see when the column is published.

I will write the column this afternoon.

Last night easy. Quite enjoyable, however. Visited my friend in Sugarloaf again. We decided on eating at No Name Pub.

Love No Name Pub. A whore house during World War II. One of the most popular eating places today.

I enjoyed a Philly cheese steak sandwich and cheese fries. No Name’s Philly steak sandwich one of the best.

Bocce started thursday. I did not go to watch. I may play a game or two this season. Don sill carries me as a team member.

The team won 2-1.

Because nothing is happening in town, I have nothing further to report. I recall reading somewhere that no news is good news.

Enjoy your Sunday!

DANCE CARD FULL

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Generally, I many times have no idea of what I am going to do. Today, I know exactly into the evening.

I slept late. It is 10ish and I am just starting the blog. Then research for this week’s KONK Life column. About bees. Bees in warfare. Titled: To Bee or Not To Bee. Love the title!

Bocce. Playoffs today. My team ended up third. All alone. Without playing thursday night. Rained out. Six teams tied for third. One, us. We had beat the other five earlier in the season. Gave us third place alone.

The team plays at 3. I will be there to cheer them on. Spoke with Don yesterday. We are playing monday’s #1 team. Tough!

When the game is over, we will all head to Don’s Place. Win or lose. For the Preakness.

Not done yet.

After Don’s, going to a birthday party. At the Firehouse Museum on Grinnell. One block from Don’s place. The mamey tree 102nd birthday party.

The mamey tree in question lives on the Firehouse Museum property.

What is a mamey tree? I did not know till this morning. A tree common to Central and South America. Some in Florida and rest of U.S. Grows 60-70 feet tall. Bears different colored fruit in the shape of a football.

The father of all mamey trees in the U.S. is the one planted at the Firehouse Museum. DNA substantiated.

The fruit is made into ice cream, milk shakes and smoothies. I will try the ice cream tonight for the first time.

The party is 6-8 pm.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Jenny encouraged me to move on. I increased the speed. Though not by much.

I am a creature of habit, as mentioned many times. Which means I ended up at the Cuban Coffee Queen again for lunch. Cuban cheese toast and Cuban coffee. Plus, the newspapers. I sat an hour or two reading.

Then home. Early afternoon. Tired. The increased speed on the treadmill? Not sure. Whatever, I took a two hour nap.

Last night, a premier event. Dinner with Jenna at Michael’s. Jenna and I had not seen each other in three months. It was catch up time.

I mentioned in yesterday’s blog that the Oklahoma Senate had this week passed a bill making abortion a felony. A felony for the doctor performing the abortion. It reached the Governor yesterday. The governor vetoed the bill.

Words of wisdom from Aristotle: “There is only one way to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.”

Trump will never avoid criticism.

Enjoy your day!

 

NILE CROCODILES

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There was a time when no one contemplated Burmese pythons would be living in South Florida. And in such large numbers! Hundreds of thousands, if not millions.

Experts say the Burmese python will never be eradicated. It can only be contained/controlled. The situation was already out of hand when experts realized the Burmese pythons had made a home here.

Now comes the Nile crocodile. As with the Burmese python, not native to South Florida or anywhere in the Americas. The Nile crocodile has become an invasive species also.

Nile crocodiles comes from Africa. Impossible to swim the Atlantic! No one knows how they got here.

So far, only three have been discovered. Two males and a female. That is how the pythons started. Big trees from little acorns grow.

The crocodiles discovered so far have been found in the Everglades. The males run big. Around 16 feet and weigh 1,600 pounds.

The concern is that Nile crocodiles are man eaters.

My yesterday began with Tammy. Always pleasant to be with her. A manicure and small talk.

Then a heavy lunch at 5 Guys. A cheeseburger and fries.

Stopped at Walgreens. Prescriptions to pick up.

Sometimes either the drug store or the insurance company screw up. Yesterday was one of those days. I am not sure who the guilty party was.

I take Nexium twice a day. Bad acid reflex for years. Cost per month $36. With insurance. Yesterday, I was handed the generic. Same price. $36. I questioned the situation. I was told I could have either. Same price. No one understood who was responsible for the screw up.

I return to Walgreens today to pick up the Nexium.

Ran into Joseph from Hot Tin Roof. His bad back worse. He was using a walker. Surgery on his back scheduled for next wednesday.

Then to Publix. Everything screwed up. Product locations moved. Not just a few feet. Aisles away. Confusing.

I was not the only one complaining. I could hear the mumblings in every aisle.

Between the Walgreens problem and Publix, I fear I am beginning to sound like a cranky senior.

Shot down to Farmers Market. Before 1. Only six tents. It had rained heavy early morning.

I went to buy three items. Mel’s rum cake, honey and Greek bread. No one selling those items. Next week, hopefully.

Bocce called off last night. The heavy morning rains left the courts flooded.

I did not go out in the evening. I filled in the bocce absence with some pleasure reading. World War II stories. Narratives by those in the fight.

This week’s KONK Life column a winner! Read it. Very interesting. An eye opener. The column: Heroin Will Survive New Drug Bill.

The column appears in this morning’s E-Blast. Also archived this morning to my Key West Lou website. .keywestlou.com.

One thing  about our country is that people never give up. We are fighting abortion 50 years after it became legal. We will be fighting same sex marriage 50 years from now.

A perfect example is what happened in the Oklahoma Senate this week. The State Senate passed a bill making abortion a felony.

Enjoy your day!

I WANT TO GO TO JAIL

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I want to go to jail.

I was having a conversation yesterday with one of those who make this island the place it is.

He started by telling me…..I want to go to jail. Only for 30 days. I need a vacation.

He saw I was looking at him strangely. He said…..I’ve been there before. It’s not bad.

He continued…..I’ll get healthy. No smoking, no drinking. Food not bad. Rooms air conditioned. There are work out areas. I can get in shape. Plus, free medical. I will go to the infirmary, say I have chest pains, and get a free physical.

He was serious. His problem is figuring out what crime to commit. He did not want to hurt anyone. He did not want any bills to pay for whatever he did. days.He did not want a sentence longer than 30 days.

Only in Key West!

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Increased speed a bit. Not time. Crawling before walking.

I am a creature of habit. It was back to Cuban Coffee Queen for cheese toast and cold Cuban coffee. Read the newspapers.

Today was to be haircut day. I still am carrying scabs on my head for what was cut off. Rescheduled the haircut for next thursday.

It was humid. Stopped into Bank of America. Great air conditioning! Sat and browsed some local newspapers.

Don’s Place first last night. Busy. Busier than I have seen in a while.

Chatted with Don and David. David excited. He was wearing a hearing aid for the first time. He could hear!

Don’s wife Stephanie came in. Toni said hello. Her arm finally ok. She had shoulder replacement surgery. A long recovery. I am happy it is all behind her.

John and Billy, too.

It was over to La Te Da for dinner. Wednesday night Tonto is at the outside bar. A terrific lady!

There was  a show upstairs at 8. Ergo, downstairs was packed.

Bobby came in. He was going to the show.

I first met Bobby 20 plus years ago. My then wife and I went to La Te Da  for the Sunday Tea Dance. First time.

We looked a bit strange. Only gay men in those days. Bobby came up and asked why we were there. He explained and we left.

Bocce tonight. Last night of the season. Even though I am not playing, I remain a member.  Stop by to encourage the team. I have become a cheerleader in my old age. Without the skirt.

Many teams tied at the top. Our team one of the them. Based on tonight’s results, the team could end up in third place or sixth. Playing the number one team. Played them under a similar experience last season. They were number one and we number three. we beat them. We ended up in second, they in third.

The Country Commission approved the $12.5 million Peary Court purchase last night. A disgrace!

Three weeks ago, my KONK Life column wa Afghanistan and America’s Heroin Addiction. This week a follow up. Heroin Will Survive New Drug Bill. The new article is available today. Both columns revealing and of current importance.

What goes around, comes around. So true!

On this date in 1536, Anne Boleyn lost her head.

Anne’s move in ousting Catherine of Aragon ultimately resulted in Anne’s beheading.

Henry VIII’s first wife Catherine of Aragon luckier. She kept her head. However, the balance of her life was desolate.

She lived in a castle. One small room. Left the room only for mass. Fasted continuously. Wore the hair shirt of the Order of St. Francis.

Enjoy your day!

 

WORLD’S LONGEST PARADE

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Key West is enjoying Conch Republic Days. More festive than Fantasy fest. Cleaner in many respects, also.

Different strokes for different folks.

Tonight at 8 is the World’s Largest Parade. Part of Conch Republic activities. The parade runs from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Shore to shore. Along Duval. All of 1.25 miles. That is why it is called the Longest Parade.

If you are in town, join the parade. Then to Schooner Wharf to party.

Stopped first last night at Tavern ‘n Town. Picked up the newspapers, enjoyed a drink at the bar.

Then to Don’s Place. Everyone there. Don, Stephanie, John, Billy, Keith, Stan and Clare. Stan and Clare just returned from Washington, DC. Stan had business there.

Kevin, who I played bocce with a couple of weeks ago, stopped in. We had a great conversation. The Chart Room and GM mosquito problem.

Politics the big item of discussion with the others. No one seemed to like either Donald or Hillary. Interesting.

Stopped later at Duffy’s for dinner. I wanted to see Jennifer. She was hosting.

Anna leaves this week for a two month vacation to Poland. She will be visiting relatives. Jennifer stepped in to help me while Anna is away. Jennifer agreed to help again.

Ordered the prime rib. Good! Amazing! Might be the best in Key West. The cheapest, too.

Met Jana. She is the manager at Duffy’s. Been here ten years. Originally from Czechoslovakia.

Jana was all excited. She recently became a U.S. citizen.

I plan on taking it slow again today.

Enjoy your day!

DAD’S BIRTHDAY…..WOULD HAVE BEEN

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My Father was born April 10, 1914. He died four years ago at age 98. God bless him!

If he were still alive today, he would have been 102. Neither strange nor impossible. His sister Mary lived to 102.

I miss you, Dad!

I who am retired from bocce taught a newbe yesterday. At high noon. In the heat of the mid day sun.

Ken is a Chart Room friend. Has a home on White Street. He mentioned Friday night he had purchased a bag of balls, but did not know how to play. I offered to show him.

Turned out I am better at teaching than playing. Or, Ken is a super athlete. Whatever, Ken had a good time. As did I.

Yesterday afternoon was spent researching this week’s KONK Life column. Finally decided on a topic. Concerns Shakespeare. His compiled works, sexuality, and famous phrases. Famous phrases from his works like “wild goose chase, fair play, it’s Greek to me, and love is blind.” A winner!

I will write the column this afternoon.

Last night was Tavern ‘n Town. To enjoy a good meal and listen to Bobby Nesbitt.

I am glad the season is over. There was no difficulty getting a seat at the bar.

Met Cindy and Clara. Two lovely ladies. Cindy was on the other side of the bar. She came over alone at first to chat. She recognized me from a pic.

Love her! She has been reading the blog daily for years. Recommends it to her friends.

Cindy is a retired school teacher from Toms River, New Jersey. We are neighbors. She lives on Big Coppit. Spends eight months a year here.

Lovely and charming. Seemed to know everyone. I watched her after our little talk. She was chatting with friends at a table.

Clara joined us. Lovely, also. She and Cindy have been friends since school days. Clara visits Cindy every year here in the Keys. It was Clara’s birthday.

Bobby Nesbitt was at his best! He especially got to me with his rendition of My Way…..I took the blows, I did it my way.

Several middle aged couples came into the bar. It dawned on me that those in the 40-50 area always seem to be happy. Their faces glow. It is the right time for them. Things are good and they are able to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

A lot look like honeymooners. Perhaps that is the reason for the glow.

The Seven Mile Bridge Run is behind us. 1,500 participated yesterday.

This morning at 10 is the famous Cow Key Bridge Run. All of 300 feet. People costumed. Many as cows. The race is over as soon as it begins. Party time follows. No one too tired to party.

Pati, Pati, Pati. Pati Le Hat is a love of my life. Her faithful companion Blackie has been diagnosed with cancer. She is doing every thing to save him. The bills are mounting. A fundraiser is scheduled for 3-7 next Sunday at Grunts on Caroline. Food, etc. donated. Musician time, also. Mark your calendars.

Pope Frances is getting kicked around. By his own bishops. The bishops think Frances is too liberal, is violating Church doctrine, etc. The bishops are comparable to the far right in the U.S. Congress.

The latest skirmish involves letting divorced remarried Catholics receive Communion. The bishops say no. Remarried Catholics are living in adultery. Ergo, cannot partake of the sacraments. Frances says we are all God’s children, lets cut to the chase.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

NEW BOCCE SEASON

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A new bocce season is underway. Not actually new. It is already mid-season.

Though I no longer play, I stop by to watch. Technically, Don and David continue to carry me on the roster as a team member. They also make sure a bottle of Beefeaters is available for whenever I show up.

The team is doing well. Last night, they won 2 out of 3 games. They have had many wins similar in number this season. I mentioned it was hard to be fighting for first place if a game a week is being lost. In spite of two victories each time.

I asked what place the team was in. Sixth. Proved my point I told them. No, it did not. In sixth place, two games out of first. Appears everyone is having the same problem this season.

The team looked good. Very good. Amazing the improvement that has occurred over the years.

It was late when bocce finished. I was hungry. No dinner. I stopped at Outback for a small steak.

Spent yesterday afternoon doing nothing. Sat out on the deck by the water reading and snoozing.

April is National Poetry Month. The Florida Keys Community College is sponsoring a poetry recital next thursday April 14 at 2 in  the afternoon. In the College library. Speakers will recite classic, contemporary, and self-crafted poetry. Sounds like an interesting and exciting afternoon.

Some, not all, are turned on by poetry. I am. If you are, join me at the College. The sponsors promise a fun event.

It appears the brakes have been put on the GM mosquito issue. For a time only. The FDA has extended the public comment period because of the furor over the issue.

One thing continues to aggravate me. Those that write re the issue fail to correctly report/explain an important detail. They report the FDA determined there was no significant impact. Sounds like FDA approval for use of the GM mosquitos from a human impact perspective.

Not correct!!!

The FDA study/research re no significant impact had nothing to do with being safe for humans. The chemicals used were safe to be used on male mosquitos. Such was the finding. Nothing more.

No independent/outside source has yet to report re safety to human beings.

Another Hemingway tidbit. On this day in 1928, Hemingway arrived in Key West for the first time on a steam ship from Havana.

The Flint lead problem has goosed federal agencies to be more careful. A good result from a bad situation.

The FDA issued a warning re infant rice cereal. An increase in arsenic levels has been found.

Parents have been warned to avoid infant rice cereals that fail to meet a certain level. The level is 100 parts per billion (ppb). Most cereals are at that level or a bit over. Around 110. I don’t know if the extra 10 points make a difference. Whatever, parents be aware.

June, where are you?

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

RESEARCHING MR. KEY WEST

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I started my research for the KONK Life column early this week. Because I am excited by the subject.

David Wolkowsky is a Key West luminary. An icon. One of those responsible for the Key West of today. His story exciting.

David is 96. Many are unaware of him. My purpose is to awaken everyone to David and his many contributions.

My day yesterday simple. Drove Barbara to the airport. Played with the David Wolkowsky topic. Intended to go to bocce as a spectator. Even called Don to bring gin for me. Never made it. Too cold. Instead, watched the Republican debate.

The debate a free for all fight. Though entertaining, a disgrace.

One new thing did come out of the fiasco. Trump was placed on the defensive for the first time. He did not do well when he had to handle things said of him, his background, etc.

This week’s KONK Life column is Goodbye Handwriting. It was linked to my Key West Lou website this morning. Take a look.

Goodbye Handwriting also published on E-News Blast this morning. Do not waste your time searching it out. A mess! Second week in a row. I have asked Guy de Boer to pay better attention. I have also asked that he run the column tomorrow in proper form.

I have been down on the Eurounion for many reasons. One its treatment of Greece.

The worm turns.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg sees a ten day life span for the Eurounion from this point forward. Then an eruption. An end. Resulting in anarchy.

Immigration the problem.

Greece has been defecated upon for years by the Eurounion. Justification immaterial.

The Eurounion has asked Greece to take in an unusually large number of immigrants. Knowing Greece is hard pressed financially, the Eurounion has offered Greece a ton of money. Greece says no. Greece is aware what the migration would ultimately do to the country.

The world is sick. In certain locations, very sick.

The place Thailand. The parents of a new born baby stabbed the child twelve times and buried the baby alive. A farmer heard crying and discovered the child. The child is hospitalized and reported to be doing well.

The attempted killing/killing of babies not uncommon in Thailand. Many babies are murdered upon delivery. Economics the primary motivation.

I apologize ending on that sad note.

Enjoy your day!

TED WILLIAMS HAD IT RIGHT

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Ted Williams…..An All-American great!

Famous baseball player, Hall of Fame, World War II fighter pilot, and fisherman. It is the fisherman portion I am concerned with.

Williams loved fishing in the Keys. Especially for tarpon. He bought a home in Islamorada in 1943. Became a Florida resident. Stayed 45 years. Left in 1988.

The reason…..He said it was time to leave when he could no longer make a left turn on US 1 because of the traffic.

He will not be the last to leave for that reason.

I open with two great men today. The other is David Wolkowsky. Besides being my new found friend at physiotherapy, David is a Key West icon. Loves Key West. David is responsible for Key West’s development as a fun funky off beat place.

David is the reason for the Pier House. It was 1967. Where the Pier House sits today was nothing more than a ruddy dirty part of the waterfront. David was a visionary. On this day in 1967, construction began on the Pier House Motel. Fifty units.

Truman Capote was a guest at the Motel. Took over David’s trailer on the site. Capote referred to the Pier House Motel as “elegant inefficiency.”

The Pier House Motel was completed one year later in 1968.

Big trees from little acorns grow. Today’s Pier House.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Love it! One problem, however. I have a lot of get up and go when on the treadmill. Once I am off, I am dead tired.

I began researching for a subject to write about for this week’s KONK Life column. Came up with nothing. I will come up with a topic. Generally, a gem. But it is always last minute that it hits me.

Last night was Schooners and the Waterfront. Schooners packed, as was the Waterfront. Waterfront food great again. Fried calamari, wings, and fish and chips.

There was a traffic jam of traffic jams yesterday. Construction on US 1 in the Cow Key Bridge area. One lane traffic for about 300 feet in the north bound lane. Traffic held up on Northern and Southern Boulevards, as well as Flagler, as far as the eye could see and beyond. Down to Sears Shopping Center on Northern Boulevard, around the curve on Southern, Flagler to Habana Shopping Center.

A one to two hour delay at noon time.

Police directing traffic would have helped. The delay would have been less. Only one officer directing traffic. At US 1 and College Road. The one place an officer was not needed. The construction and one lane traffic ended at the College Road intersection.

Don called me. The team won 2 out 3 at bocce thursday night. Though not playing, I plan on following the team.

Syracuse/Pitt this afternoon. Syracuse a 3 1/2 point favorite. I think Syracuse will lose. Definitely if the team plays as it did against Louisville.

Syracuse needed Louisville and Pitt wins to guarantee a bid to the big post season tournament. If Syracuse beats Pitt today, Syracuse will be on the bubble.

The game is at 2. Dan Reardon, I will be watching the game at Don’s Place.

Enjoy your day!