OUT AND ABOUT

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Great day yesterday! I finally got out of the house. Reborn.

My first stop was Tammy for a manicure. Always a pleasant experience. We talk about everything.

Yesterday, the Key West Hospital. Tammy told me the first bill received for her son’s emergency appendectomy a month ago was $40,000. They received a new one this week. $69,000. With indication it might not be the end.

Tammy and her husband have no insurance. Their mistake, their problem. Does not mean the hospital bill should be an ever spiraling thing. The son was only in the hospital one night. Nothing unusual about the surgery.

Then Walgreens. I hate pharmaceutical companies. They are rip offs.

I have needed Nexium for several years. Two pills a day. Stomach acid. A couple of weeks ago, the bill went from $36 for a one month 60 pill supply to $174. I switched to the generic. Same supply cost me $40. More than Nexium itself.

I went to pick up my second month supply of the generic. The one I paid $40 for last month. $83 this month.

No one to complain to. The insurance company said it is the manufacturer that sets the price. I have talked with manufacturers in the past. Was told it is their right to price as they see fit

F–k ’em all! They have to be brought down.

Don’s Place lat night for David’s retirement party. David is 66. A highway construction expert. Packing it in.

Lots of good company. David, Don, Boomer, Angus, Michael, Nancy, several of David’s personal friends, Keith, Jennifer, and me. July 4th food. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and salads.

It was a hot summer day in Don’s Place. Hotter than outside. The air conditioning was down. Monday. Still not fixed as of last night.

Don has a contract with the air conditioner company. Includes 3 month visits to clean and check the units. Been a customer five years.

Owner on vacation. Don says some kid running the business. Don was calling since Monday. Air conditioning people came over yesterday for first time. Claim to have found and corrected the problem.

Don went on the roof to check the fixed unit at 6 last night. Parts of the unit was covered in ice. He called the kid. No satisfaction. Should be working. Holiday vacation had started. Could not return till Tuesday.

Don is more patient than me. I would have gotten a new company last Monday night.

Anyhow, it was hot!!!

I only had two drinks. A good boy was I.

The Old Seven Mile Bridge closes down July 5 for four years. Repairs. The bridge about 45 miles up US 1. It is part of the old Flagler Railroad. The hurricane of 1935 wiped out the railroad. Portions the Seven Mile Bridge remain standing. About half.

Has turned into a place to walk. An enjoyable exciting experience. The wood bridge always crowded. I visit every two years. Generally with the grandkids. We walk and walk and walk. They then walk some more while I wait for them.

Then to Boondocks or No Name Pub.

A great day!

Many of Florida’s beaches and rivers clogged with ugly smelly green algae. Not Key West. Hopefully it will miss us.

The cause has to do with fresh lake waters getting into the rivers and ocean. Something bad in the fresh water.

People aroused. Can’t blame them. Thousands showed at one beach to protest the algae.

The Army corps has become involved.

William Hackley’s life in 1855 has become a source of knowledge.

We are into breast feeding. His wife had a baby. Her breast milk was drying up. Hackley borrowed someone’s goat. The goat was dry. Hackley wrote today that he might have to go to Havana for a goat.

On the corner of Duval and Front Streets in Key West stands a majestic brick building. Today, it harbors a clothing store.

Constructtion of the bank building occurred in 1897. $14,380.35.

The movie Top Gun made Tom Cruise an international star. The female lead was Key West’s own Kelley McGillis. Owner at the time or soon thereafter of Kelley’s Restaurant on Whitehead.

I mention Cruise this morning because I discovered he was born in Syracuse. Fifty miles from my home town Utica, the home of Syracuse University where I went to law school, and a city where I tried many cases.

He was born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV. Sounds like he was born to money. He was not. His family was very poor.

A success story.

Enjoy your Sunday!

HOME CONFINEMENT TOLERABLE

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Yesterday was another day in. Not bad. Actually good. The title says Tolerable. Turned out to be more than tolerable. I enjoyed the day.

I normally research my KONK Life column on saturday. Started yesterday. Gave me a two day head start. Research not finished. Another 30 percent to go.

The subject involves who pays for national political conventions. The Republican one is two weeks away. Who picks up the tab for the balloons, confetti, alcohol, etc.

An interesting eye opening subject. You will enjoy reading the article.

Jennifer stopped in yesterday. While Anna is in Poland visiting family, Jennifer has been giving me a hand around the house. I sent her grocery shopping.

Today, the beginning of the Fourth of July weekend. Key West will be crowded. A fun weekend for all ahead.

Tomorrow, I am free!

Early afternoon, I will be with Tammy for a manicure. Tomorrow at 5, Don’s Place. David is 65. He is retiring. A surprise retirement party for him. Not a surprise, however. Someone told him.

Then to Blue Heaven. To hear Terri sing. I missed her show last saturday.

I will be back in the grove!

This week’s KONK Life column is Captain Bligh A Good Man. It was linked this morning to my Key West Lou website. It also ran on KONK’s E-Blast.

When it came to sex types and/or tastes, I knew gay, lesbian, homosexual, lesbian, and cross-dressing. During the final stages of the gay battle, the word transgender started to pop up. I must admit, I had never heard the word. Almost eighty years old and I did not know what the word meant. I had to google it.

It was announced yesterday that the ban on transgenders in the military has been lifted.

Good!

What next?

Stupidity knows no class. Even smart people can be stupid.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch yesterday in her private plane meeting with former President Bill Clinton.

Enough said.

Enjoy your day!

 

TONIGHT…..SANCHEZ AT CUSTOM HOUSE

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Mario Sanchez, one of Key West’s greatest artist! A world wide reputation.

Many of his works will be exhibited for several weeks at the Custom House. The show’s opening this evening.

More than 70 pieces from the collection of David Wolkowsky a part of the exhibit.

I plan on attending.

Prior to the exhibit, I have an appointment with Dr. Mc Ivor to get my test results.

My evening yesterday began at 5 with Tammy. Needed a manicure.

Tammy’s 9 year old son had emergency appendectomy surgery last week. He is doing well.

Then to Don’s Place. cCatted with Don and David. Shane joined us.

I had to pull Don out so we could go to dinner. Don may be able to do without food. I cannot.

We ate at the outside bar at La Te Da. Tonto bartending. A business discussion. We compared the operations of a bar and law office. Interestingly, many similarities. Business is business.

I was home at 9. In time for the Cavaliers/Warriors game. Great basketball. If you are a Cleveland fan. I am. Next, game 7. The world championship on the table. One game for all the marbles.

I did not fall asleep during the game.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department will have its officers wearing body cameras beginning monday. A good move. All police departments should require body cameras.

My KONK Life column this week The Rape of Social sScurity. Sounds boring. Not. Extremely interesting and revealing. Everyone should read.

The column was posted on this morning’s KONK E-Blast.

Bernie Sanders ran the good race. The way it is. He should stop his campaigning or whatever he calls it. When you lose, you step back. He does not seem to know how.

He tried to climb Mt. Everest. Failed. The last 100 feet were too much for him. His effort respected.

Enjoy your day!

 

ANOTHER BOCCE PARTY

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Bocce parties are like bowling banquets. Only less formal and more fun.

Last night was our small five team competitive group’s get together. Always an enjoyable evening.

The thought occurred last night that I have known many at the party for years. Some as many as 15 years. We are the same kids today that we were back then. As far as bocce is concerned, none of us grew up. Perpetual youth.

Awards were given. Larry Smith’s team came in first. Clare got the best cheerleader/most improved award. Don the screw up award for a shot that lost our team first place in the 5 team group and #2 in the thursday night league.

David played his part last night. Excellent as usual.

I sat with Tom, Nicky, Dan, Betty, Jennifer and Larry Smith most of the evening. Tom and Nicky and Dan and Betty return home in a few days. Not to return till october.

Stopped at Lori’s for a haircut at noon. My appointment was for yesterday. The girl put it in the book for next thursday. I try again today.

The foul up was no problem. The Cuban Coffee Queen is around the corner. I stopped in for lunch.

A doctor’s appointment at 1. To check the area where things were cut off my head and face two weeks ago.

My KONK Life column this week has to do with bees. Bees as used in warfare. As far back as cave man days.

The column published wednesday. This morning it appears in KONK E-Blast. It was also linked to my Key West Lou website. .keywestlou.com.

The last two weeks, Guy deBoer has run in E-Blast a pic of me taken 4 years ago in Greece. On Amorogos, my favorite place. The photo reminds me of how relaxed and laid back I was when there.

Back to younger days? A recent study indicates pot smoking today is highest in the over 55 group. The study contained a picture of grandma lighting up.

Enjoy your day!

 

BOCCE PLAYOFFS

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It was festival time yesterday at the bocce courts. Playoffs! Tents covering players from the blazing sun. Food and drink. Lots of spectators. Even babies.

We played the #1 team from monday night. We were #3 from the thursday night league. Got our asses whipped in the first game. 16-4. We were competitive in the second. Lost 16-15.

We are done.

The team that beat us will probably go on to win the whole thing. Three times. They were good. No question about it. Precision shooting. Missed only one blast.

Joe Quartarone e mailed me. He is an officer in the national bocce organization. He made inquiry of the Key West league via my blog. He wanted to know among other things numbers. How many players, teams, etc. I told him 56 teams, over 500 players.

He wrote back excitedly. Key West has one of the biggest leagues in the country. He is going to visit, etc.

Watched the Preakness at Don’s Place. For some reason, it did not excite me this year.

Probably because I was anxious to get over to the Firehouse Museum. A birthday party. 102 years old. A mamey tree. Purportedly the grandfather of all mamey trees in the United States. DNA proven.

The tree is on the side of the Museum. Majestic. 54 feet tall.

About 200 at the party when I arrived.

The tree’s fruit is used to make ice cream. There was free ice cream. Tried it. Delicious!

During the course of the afternoon before going to the Museum, I asked many if they had ever heard of a mamey tree. No one knew what I was talking about. Guess I asked the wrong people. The 200 at the Museum knew.

While at Don’s Place, Clare and Stan introduced me to Clare’s new boss. John Cary. He is the new President of Dion Oil LLC. Dion’s is now owned by Uphoff Ventures. Uphoff purchased the business from the Dion family several months ago.

Don’t let the oil in the name of the business fool you. Dion’s is best known for its chicken. The absolute best!

Cary a nice guy. Intelligent. He should do well in caring for and expanding Dion’s.

I was home before 8. Wanted to watch the Lyndon Johnson movie on HBO. All the Way. I was disappointed.

Johnson was portrayed in too dramatic a fashion, nutty, and intense.

Johnson was a hard driving individual. However to portray him as a man who did not want to get out of bed when things got tough was an insult to the man and his true history.

Spent yesterday morning researching this week’s KONK Life column. I will write the column this afternoon. To Bee or Not To Bee. Not Shakesperian. It is the story of bees as used in warfare. From centuries before the birth of Christ to present day.

How many movies have we seen of wagon trains? Going west. Did you ever give thought to how long a trip took. I never did.

Read something this morning that evidences the time factor. On this day in 1843, what has been described as the Great Emigration began. A covered wagon trip from Independence, Missouri to Oregon. One thousand settlers and 1,000 cattle.

Five months.

A quiet Sunday ahead. I have nothing planned.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

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!

 

BUSY DAY

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My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Still going slow. Cut the speed and time by 50 percent.

David Wolkowsky was not at Body Owners. He is sometimes there. Others, not. He is on the treadmill before me.

David is 96. I worry when he does not show up.

Shot down to the Cuban Coffee Queen after working out. Cuban coffee and a steak sandwich. Sat an extra hour reading the newspapers.

Spent the afternoon preparing for tonight’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Interesting topics. A brief review of the Kentucky primary results. Followed by comments concerning Trump’s attitude and women, that Melania would be the first first lady to have posed nude, Trump’s tax returns, and Hillary’s transcripts.

Also, the FBI enabling Church leaders, social workers and community leaders to  spy on you and me, Obama at war longer than any other President, whether Zika is another Ebola, Hillary’s two $100,000 a plate fundraisers the same evening, and more.

My blog talk radio show has taken off. In only two years. I now have advertisers. Like GEICO, Walgreens and Amazon.com. Surprising!

Started my evening at Aqua. Monday the bartenders sing at cocktail time. Always enjoyable. Looked for Chart Room friend David. Not there.

The bartenders sang Where The Boys Are. They meant boys!

The song brought back memories of the early 1960’s spring break movie of the same name. Dolores Hart one of the stars. A young beauty. She made ten films. Starred as leading lady in each one. With male stars such as Elvis Presley, Stephen Boyd, Montgomery Cliff, George Hamilton and Robert Wagner.

Then at age 24 left the movie business. Entered a nunnery. Still there all these years later. Now, the abbess of her order.

Got into a discussion about Sal Rapisardi and his parents with one of the bartenders. Sal and his family were successful business people when I first came to Key West. I bought the parents’ home.

Sal was a graduate engineer from RPI. Smart. Never worked as an engineer. Motels, bars, night clubs became his specialty Especially those appealing to the gay community. At one time, he and his family owned Atlantic Shores and La Te Da.

Sal opened Diva’s on Duval. Diva’s was the predecessor of Aqua. It all started with Sal.

Sal now lives in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Lisa dated Sal for a while. I told her to marry him. He was a nice guy, rich and straight. A winning combination. Especially in Key West.

My suggestion fell on deaf ears.

Duffy’s for dinner. I am turned on to Duffy’s prime rib.

Jennifer hosting. Jana managing. Kari waiting. Mark bartending.

Mark is Mark Yeoman. Learned that several years ago he tried his hand at painting. A success! His work sold successfully at Joy Galleries. In the four figures. He showed me photos of some of his works. Magnificent!

On the way home, stopped for a nightcap at Don’s Place. Boomer bartending. Duffy’s Kari and Boomer have lived together for years. Both nice people.

Syracuse University announced the Carrier Dome is getting a new roof. Cost, $105 million. Another $100 million for overall improvements. At the same time, major improvements would be done to Archibald Gymnasium. Cost, $50 million.

Impressive numbers.

Joining the ACC has to be the reason. The move from the Big East to the ACC was done for economic reasons. Apparently working out as intended.

George Washington. No one will argue he was not a smart man.

The British were taxing the colonists several years prior to the Revolution. On this day in 1769, Washington argued the impropriety of taxation without representation. The tyranny part would come several years later.

Today, we have taxation with representation. I see no difference between 1769 and today.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

BUFFETT CHEESEBURGER COMMENT

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Jimmy Buffett’s people got back to me re the cheeseburger issue. It boiled down to where Cheeseburger in Paradise was written.

I said an old time drug store on the corner of Simonton and United. Patrick and others thought in the Caribbean. They were correct.

Take a look at today’s Comment page. Buffettnews commented. Via Jimmy’s Notes.

Buffet and a friend were on a Caribbean trip on Buffett’s first boat. The Euphoria. Bad weather. Water and ice gone. Only canned veggies and peanut butter to eat. They ended up in Tortola.

Jimmy and friend envisioned a cheeseburger while floating around. Upon landing in Tortola and after kissing the ground, they ended up in a marina restaurant. Cheeseburgers ordered.

Something bugging me this morning. The way Trump refers to people. Ridicules them. Neither nice nor Presidential.

The most recent comments attack Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren. Hillary is Crooked Hillary. Elizabeth, Goofus.

Respectfully, if anyone is a goof, it is Trump!

Started yesterday with the Anti-Gravity Treadmill. I was overjoyed to see David Wolkowsky there. He was out as long as I was. Finally returned to work at keeping alive again. That’s why we do it.

I went at half of half speed again. Handled it. No problem. That is the level I will stay at till I think I can handle more. I tried too much too soon.

Afterwards, stopped at Walgreens. To pick up some prescriptions. Walgreens insisted I had a Lipitor genetic coming. I said no. Last took the pill three years ago. Now on Effient.

I was confused. Sure I was correct. But at 80 there are those times I am not. Said I would check with the doctor.

Drug stores should know. They keep computerized records.

I was correct. One for the elderly!

Chart Room first last night.

Dear friends Tonto and Mindy at the bar. Rarely see them. Though we have been friends 20 plus years. Tonto works the outside bar at La Te Da. Mindy for a mortgage company. Two very pleasant people.

Sat with Sheila. Another dear friend.

Amazing as it may sound, everyone is everyone’s friend in Key West. That’s the way it is.

Desired a prime rib. Returned to Duffy’s again. Great prime rib. Sat at the bar enjoying dinner while reading the papers.

I thought I was at Don’s Place. Jennifer hosting and Kari waitressing. Boomer stopping in to say hello to Kari.

Mark bartending. I had not seen Mark in several years. He once worked at the Chart Room. It was good to see him again.

Kentucky Derby today!

Never attended a Derby. Though did two Belmonts.

I will watch at Don’s Place. The ladies will all be wearing hats. It will be a fun time.

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!

COW KEY BRIDGE RACE HUGE SUCCESS

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Races and walks. Constant in the Key west area. There is a race/walk for everything. The natives are walk/race crazy.

Yesterday, the Cow Key Bridge Run took place. Only in its third year. Already a success! 1,400 participated. This morning’s Key West Citizen described it as a RACE FOR FUN.

The bridge is only 300 feet long. Even those less than hardy can make it.

Each year, attempts are made to set a new record. One was accomplished yesterday. Took the winner all of 22 seconds to make the run.

The weather this past week has been perfect. High 70’s, cool breeze and no humidity.

Sundays are generally spent writing my KONK column. Took five hours yesterday. From 11 to 4 non-stop. Well worth it,

The title is Shakespeare Incidentals. Interesting and revealing. Not a composite of his life. Too much to write. Rather, I spelled out incidents  in Shakespeare’s life I thought might be unknown to many.

Dinner last night with Keith. Met him at Don’s Place. Our ultimate destination Duffy’s. Jennifer waitressing at Duffy’s.

Toni and Larry at the bar at Don’s Place. Toni a big time basketball fan. Kentucky her school. I went over to chat with them. I expressed my condolences re Kentucky’s relatively early defeat. She offered congrats re Syracuse’s play.

I like Toni.

I had not been to Duffy’s in 20 years. Used to go frequently at the time. I was on the Atkins diet. Duffy’s prime rib was good and cheap. $8.95.

The price has changed over 20 years, but not the quality. Cost $17.95. Still a bargain. A large juicy piece of prime rib. The best I have had in years. Obviously, I will be returning.

Jennifer took good care of us.

Excitement at the Key West Airport yesterday. An American Airline plane took off. Came in contact with a bird as the wheels were raised. Crew quickly returned to the Airport one engine less. No one hurt.

A few moments of concern. Airport fire engines lined the field. Everyone in the ready if a problem occurred.

I missed the Masters yesterday. When I finished the column, I was tired. Dropped on the bed for a nap. Don’s Place was buzzing with what had occurred. Jordan Spieth was winning as he headed into the back nine. He dropped 6 shots in three holes.

Such is golf.

Enjoy your day!