ANTI-GRAVITY TREADMILL, CUBAN COFFEE HOUSE, HUMIDITY, DUVAL, ETC.

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My yesterday. Typical.

Started late morning with the anti-gravity treadmill. A wonder! Then to the Cuban Coffee House for lunch. Cuban toast and a large Cuban coffee.

Walked Duval a bit. New Gap Factory Store open. Good size. Homey. Missed the phony hostage/guest house scenario which closed two blocks of Duval. Stopped at Tucker’s. On Duval near Antonio’s. Great sports attire for men and women. Pricey. Will go well with tourists who might not care about price. Doubt many locals will buy there.

Summer definitely here. I could feel the humidity big time as I walked Duval. This is only the beginning. Wait till August and September!

Last night, Don’s Place early. Don. Stan and Claire. Jeneane and Mary from the Pier House at the bar. Sisters. Lovely ladies.

Dinner at Tavern ‘n Town. Mood music. Put me in the mood. Mellowed me right out. Did not get the name of singer. He was busy talking with others when I left.

Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights bill into law in the 1960s. He said it would “…..bring peace to our land.” Unfortunately, he was wrong. The black church burning in Georgia a few days ago proof.

The Charleston shooting was June 17. Since then, a mere two weeks, there have been seven black church fires in the South. All but two have already been declared not arson. The two, hate crimes.

I do not buy the results. The non arson ones. The judgment in each case was made by a local fire chief and department. Like the early cops shooting blacks. A Chief and Prosecutor evaluating whether the police shooting was justified.

These cases should all be investigated by top notch experienced arson people. They exist in one place. Insurance companies. They should be on the job immediately together with some expert federal officers to determine cause. The goal being an untainted report.

I wonder, how many white churches had fires during the same two week period.

Anna reports. Credit cards no good in Athens. Most merchants want cash. Will not sell without cash payment. ATM machines busy this morning. Nowhere near the crowds of yesterday morning.

Everyone is at fault to differing degrees re the Greece situation. The consensus is developing that Germany’s Merkel has contributed greatly. She has been labeled as self righteous. Also as having pushed too hard.

Would you believe…..Another Rocky film coming out. Rocky VII. Sylvester Stallone managing , not fighting. Managing Apollo Creed’s son.

Oregon legalized marijuana for personal use. Limited amounts, of course. The fourth State to do so. If anyone had told me in the 1970s and 1980s that this was going to happen, I would have thought them crazy. Similar to same sex marriage. Who would have believed?

Enjoy your day!

 

CUBAN HEMINGWAY HOUSE

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Key West loves Ernest Hemingway. He is part of Key West’s history. His home on Whitehead has become sort of a shrine. The lines run down the block to Truman with people waiting to get in. Sloppy Joe’s, the six toed cats, and more contribute to Key West folklore..

Hemingway called Cuba his home for 20 plus years. 1939-1960. He wrote Old Man and the Sea while living in Cuba. His Cuban home palatial.

Castro took over in 1959. Castro and Hemingway were not the best of friends. Castro immediately confiscated all property. In addition to land and homes was included books and papers. Hemingway personally asked Castro not to take his home. Castro paid him no attention.

Hemingway left Cuba within a year of Castro taking power. Leaving behind his home, books, letters and photos. The books, letters and photos number in the area of 9,000.

Time and the elements have taken their toll re the books, letters and photos. Steps are being taken to repair and maintain them. Cuba has never had the money to do so.

When Obama announced that Cuba and the U.S. were discussing becoming friends again, he shortly  thereafter issued a list of exemptions to the embargo. Note, the embargo is still in effect. The reunion apparently is going to take some time.

The exemptions included the exportation to Cuba of supplies whose purpose was historical preservation. Note, not money. Money still cannot be exchanged. Supplies paid for however in the U.S. can.

National Trust is a U.S. foundation. Cuba has a National Cultural Heritage Council. The Council operates Finca Vigia.  Finca Vigia is Hemingway’s Cuba home and personal property left there. Known also as Lookout Farm.

National Trust is sending just under $900,000 in supplies to the Cuban Council to repair and preserve Hemingway’s books, papers and photos. In addition, a special facility will be attached or built anew to hold the Hemingway materials. None of the money will be used to renovate the Hemingway home itself.

All good! If we are going to be friends, let’s be. Personally, I am not happy that it is going to take time for the reconciliation. Fifty years is punishment enough. The U.S. should be in Cuba now with both feet. It did not take the U.S. very long after World War II to kiss and make up with the Germans and Japanese.

My congratulations to the National Trust for getting things started. Lets do more and soon. Lets get rid of the embargo completely and move forward as old friends reunited.

My blog talk radio show tonight at 9 my time. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Two topics to be discussed are my slant on Charleston and the Josephine Baker story.

Re Charleston, this peaceful reaction to the killings will not work. The Connecticut school children killed changed nothing. Charleston will change nothing. More is required. Such will be discussed tonight.

The thrust of my comments…..I am not Jesus!…..I cannot be expected to turn the other cheek!

Enjoy your day!

GENETICALLY MODIFIED MOTHS, NOT MOSQUITOES

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Oxitec continues to push forward. Arrogantly.

The fight is ongoing in the Florida keys re Oxitec experimenting with genetically modified mosquitoes. A specific key has been targeted. My key. Key Haven.

The people are against it. Local government and Oxitec in support. One step left in the approval process. Ok from the federal government. I fear it will be forthcoming.

Mosquitoes are not the only problem Oxitec seeks to cure with genetically modified organisms. The most recent, a genetically modified moth. A diamond back moth. Sounds like a snake.

Oxitec with the moths in upstate New York last September. Oxitec without local approvals experimented in Geneva, NY. Oxitec did have federal approval. The U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Now several months later, Governor Cuomo and his staff have become aware. Cornell University President Skorton has become aware. The people in the Geneva area have become aware. All pissed off big time!

The only fan of genetically modified mosquitoes and moths is the U.S. government. They treat Oxitec as they have treated Monsanto. An open door!

The mosquito experimentation an example of government secrecy. Similar to the Iran pact being negotiated and the Asian pact. Keep the people unaware. Secrecy the order of the day.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Then to the Cuban Coffee Queen for a Cuban buttered toast and Cuban coffee. Read the newspapers. Stayed a couple of hours. Cuban Coffee Queen is outside. Pleasant surroundings.

Last night, Jenna time! Does my heart good to be with her. I a few days from 80. She recently 28. And lovely!

Drinks first at the Square 1 bar. Then across the way to Origami for sushi. A good night.

It had been a while since I was last at Square 1. Mandy still manager. Very personable. A hug and kiss for me. David bartending.

Jenna is host of a TV talk show. She also manages the local television station. A talent. I fear her talent is outgrowing Key West and she will have to move on to further her career.

After dinner, I walked Jenna home. She now lives at the corner of Duval and Truman. The walk short.

Forty years ago today, the movie Jaws debuted. The book came first. A big seller. The movie which followed, also.

I had read the book, was anxious to see the movie. My family and I were vacationing in Hyannis on Cape Cod. My former wife and one of my daughters joined me in seeing the movie. My other three were not interested.

The movie was scary! No question about it! When the big fish opened its mouth and came at a victim, chills did run up and down my spine.

Went to our beach front rental after the movie and to bed. In the middle of the night, the shark had me by the throat! I woke with a yell and start! A nightmare. Scared the hell out of me!

Jaws bothers me. The rerun advertising describes the movie as having come out 40 years ago. My recollection is yesterday. How time flies!

I feel compelled to comment further re the nine blacks killed while in church in Charleston. An act of white supremacy. Slavery was banned via the Civil War more than a 150 years ago. The Confederacy died with it. Confederate ideology not, however.

Things have gotten worse in the six years Obama has been President. Not his fault. The fault of those whites who cannot stand the thought of a black man in power.

The same people are aware that the United States is tanning. Even now, more than half our population is of color. A number of years down the road, people of color will be running the country. Establishment whites cannot accept the thought.

Black people have been treated poorly for so long in the United States. I have been suggesting for several months that a future conflict will not be police against black. It will be black against white. At some point, the oppressed say stop! Enough! Their opposition will be forceful.

Shakespeare’s Henry VI mentions the worm turns. I fear it applies to Black America.

Enjoy your day!

A DOCTOR MORNING

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My time in Paradise being infringed upon. Too many doctor visits. Guess it goes with the turf. Turf referring to the aging process.

I had a scheduled heart doctor appointment at 9 in the morning. Blood work and an echo test. To be followed up tuesday with a CAT scan.

Then immediately to my primary care physician. My sciatica came back late the night before. Pain! Though better yesterday morning. Not bad enough for a steroid shot. I am on 800 milligrams of Ibuprofen 3 xs a day. Works well. Pain has become almost non-existent.

I had an 11:30 hair appointment with Lori. Had an hour to kill. Skipped breakfast because of the blood work. Stopped at Cuban Coffee Queen for a Cuban cheese toast and Cuban coffee.

Distinguished myself at Cuban Coffee Queen. Knocked over my large coffee. Made a real mess. Table top and floor. The staff was nice about it. Moved me to another table and replenished my coffee free.

Then to some pleasant time with Lori. She just returned from a houseboat trip in Utah. A grand canyon type trip. Told me all about it.

I read somewhere that Backspace had become a writers hangout. I was anxious to meet some writers. I know only a few. There are many in Key West.

Backspace is the new restaurant that replaced Finnegan’s Wake.

A magnificent remodeling job! Does not look like Finnegan’s inside at all. Everything opened up. A large bar and restaurant. The restaurant opens to the outside in back for dining also.

I was not thrilled.

There was next to no one. I asked Ben the bartender if writers met there. He did not know what I was talking about. Menu prices staggering. Hot Tin Roof prices. I was in a constant battle with the little ants running around on the bar. One I had to pick out of my food. Received two bites on my right arm while there.

Too much staff for not enough customers. No one in authority to oversee things.

I did not want to spend $30 plus for an entre. My stomach wanted a bit more than one of the $15 appetizers. The cheapest entre was a cheeseburger, which I ordered. $15.

There is a locals discount.

The cheeseburger was outstanding! For real! Great taste!

Would I try it again? Yes. Probably order an appetizer. I think it is worthy of another try. The place only recently opened. I consider last night Backspace’s shakedown cruise.

Two escapees in upstate New York still on the loose. The female employee who apparently fell in love with one of them in trouble. Jail time trouble. People in the area concerned for their safety.

Some 3o odd years ago, then Governor Mario Cuomo wanted to help the upstate economy. He had jails built all over. Several in the Utica area. In a place called Marcy. A suburb of Utica.

Everyone was thrilled. Jobs! Good jobs! The thrill died when David Berkowitz was sent to the psychiatric center that was part of the complex. Berkowitz was a notorious serial killer. Also known as Son of Sam.

The locals were up in arms! Suppose he escapes? He should not be there. He is a danger to us.

The State transferred Berkowitz after two months.

Anna takes the train to Milan frequently. Especially now that the World’s Fair is there. The train ride to the Fair twenty minutes. Yesterday, an event occurred on the train that Anna takes. One that makes several round trips a day. Fortunately, Anna was not on the train.

A group of 4-6 black men became upset with the ticket inspector. One of them jumped up, took out a machete and chopped the guy’s arm off. Left it barely hanging. Then turned around and sliced the machete into another train employee’s head.

The men are on the loose. They have been described as Central Americans. No one is certain yet.

The train company said it would not operate any more trains unless the government provided soldiers for protection. It took less than 24 hours for Army soldiers to start riding the trains.

The ticket inspector’s arm was reattached during surgery. Both injured men on the critical list.

I take the same train when in Novara. I love going to Milan. A cosmopolitan city.

I recall a few years ago being on the train. Returning from Milan. There were eight black men sitting nearby. Dressed strangely. Sort of Arabic. We were the only ones in the car. They appeared intimidating.

Somehow we got into a conversation. I am easy going. Talk with everyone. Two of them could speak a bit of English.

They confided they were from North Africa and trying to get to Sweden. I sensed they were in Italy illegally. Happy that they finally had made it to northern Italy. In the next few days, they would be in Switzerland. Then Sweden.

Sweden was their destination because Sweden welcomed immigrants from Africa. Provided them with food and money to get them going. It has been that way in Sweden for six years.

Sweden’s social fiber is now broken. A good deed with bad results. Too many immigrants. Not enough jobs. Costly to maintain the immigrants.

Enjoy your day!

TIME AT SLOPPY JOE’S

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Pleasant morning yesterday. The anti-gravity treadmill to start. Then the Cuban Coffee House for lunch. I am becoming a regular customer. The reason, parking. The public parking lot behind Antonia’s has reopened. Cuban Coffee Queen part way up the alley leading to Duval.

Peter Diamond was walking by. He came over and sat with me. I enjoyed a long conversation with him. Peter is popular in the Key West music world. He performs weekly at Little Palm Island, the Gardens, and Grunts. Married to Holly. A unique personality. Currently in Connecticut visiting family.

My afternoon was spent doing background research for one of the books I never seem to complete.

Last night was Sloppy Joe’s!

I am in Sloppy Joe’s 2-3 nights a week. I never mention it because it is merely a walk through. There is never a bar spot available to me. There was not one last night either. However, a tall table was empty against the wall beneath the large photo of Hemingway.

It has been well over a year since I ate at Sloppy Joe’s. Not gourmet cooking/dining. Food good for the soul, however. I enjoyed french fries buried in a red sauce with melted mozzarella on top. Delicious!

My diet is out the window.

The visit gave me time to observe the tourists. Primarily tourists at Sloppy Joe’s. Drinking and dancing. The drinking I can handle, the dancing I cannot. It’s the music. Not for me.

Key West born Manuel “Pete” Fernandez was an ace during the Korean War. He is credited with 14.5 kills. The third highest number of kills of any ace.

Fernandez’s time in Key West was limited to the few years following his birth. The family moved to Miami where Fernandez was educated. He grew up in a working class environment.

His grandparents emigrated from Spain. First to Cuba. Later to the United States. Fernandez is remembered as the Hispanic ace and Latino fighter ace.

I heard from a blog reader who lives in Athens. An American expatriate. E-mailed me. He was aware from my blogs of my love for and interest in Greece. Recently, I have been telling people to vacation there this summer. A cheap vacation. The dollar stronger than the euro. Greek’s economic problems make for an inexpensive trip.

He wrote not to be concerned re the Eurobank problem. He believes it will be worked out. Consistent with my recollection of Greek thinking. They let nothing bother them. Kumbaya all the time.

He also wrote Athens was filled with tourists. The cheapest Athens has been in years.

Athens has a special place in my heart. Hard to describe. Everything there. New and old. Plus, the people themselves. A joy!

It is back to the heart doctor this morning for two tests. I remembered to fast this time. Then a haircut with Lori. Between the doctor and haircut, I plan on breakfasting at the Cuban Coffee Queen.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

JUDY BLUME

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Key west has had Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and other famous writers. The run continues. One of today’s is Judy Blume.

Judy Blume is a young vibrant 77 year old. Two days ago, she published her most recent book In The Unlikely Event. Her 29 published novels have sold 86 million copies world wide.

Judy is also known as the Fairy Godmother of Puberty. Early in her career, she wrote books for young girls . Regarding topics young ladies confront. Menstrual periods, sex, religion, etc.

Her early books on sex related subjects were banned in some quarters. The thought was too much knowledge for young girls/ladies.

Respected and loved. Another Key West luminary.

My yesterday started with the anti-gravity treadmill. Still not up to speed. Going cautiously. Tomorrow, I will blow it out.

Then to the Cuban Coffee Queen. Cuban cheese toast and coffee. Spent about two hours. Reading the newspapers and watching people come and go.

Bocce party tonight! At Don’s Place.

Fourteen teams comprise the thursday bocce league. Five of those teams have combined to have an additional competition. Sort of side bet. Those are the money games.

We won this season! Don’s Place. It has been four years since we last won.

The party is fun. There are trophies for everything. Even one for the most obnoxious (for want of a better term). It is known as the Larry Smith Award. I won it once. Though I do not consider myself obnoxious. Not even close. I think they wanted to give me something and the award was the only one left.

Don’s Bean Bag Throwing Tournament was last saturday. I keep referring to Key West as the place where adults come and become children again. Two sixty year olds won the contest. Don and David.

Life can be difficult. It has its moments. An event happened in Syracuse this week evidencing it.

A couple, 41 and 36, were having sex. They mistakenly used industrial glue instead of lubricant. Stuck together! Emergency people called. The couple were delivered to the hospital joined and bare ass.

An embarrassing moment!

I keep waiting for a story about the man who took Viagra and had a problem after four hours. Does it really happen?

Enjoy your day!