LISTEN MY CHILDREN AND YOU SHALL HEAR OF THE MIDNIGHT RIDE OF PAUL REVERE…..

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Research and writing all day yesterday for me. I was in the mood.

Wednesday night while at Macaws I spoke with Doug. Doug is a tour guide at Hemingway House. A history buff.  Somehow Sudbury, Massachusetts became part of the conversation.

Doug spouted out a ton of historical facts. I could not keep up. Yesterday, part of my research involved Sudbury.

The British were surprised by the colonial opposition at Lexington and Concord. They literally ran back to Boston and safety. On the way, Sudbury residents put upon them. They shot from the woods and otherwise sniped at the Redcoats.

Sudbury’s other Revolutionary War exploits too many to list. However, recognized. Sudbury’s ZIP Code is 01776. Some say because of its assistance in the Revolutionary War. Others, disagree.

The Wayside Inn stands in Sudbury. Purportedly, the oldest operating inn in the Unite States. Built and run by the Howe family for many years.

Henry Ford lived off and on in the 1930’s and 1940’s in Sudbury. In 1923, he purchased and restored the Wayside Inn. Then donated the Inn to a charitable foundation that operates it to this day.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a book of poems titled Tales of Wayside Inn. Published in 1863.  A poem within was titled Tales Of A Wayside Inn. An immortal phrase part of the poem: “Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.”

Henry Ford a continuing benefactor to Sudbury. He moved the Redstone Schoolhouse from Sterling to Sudbury. The Redstone Schoolhouse is reputed to be the school in the nursery rhyme Mary Had A Little Lamb.

Sudbury definitely an historical site. I thank Doug for bring it to my attention.

It will be one year September 10 that Irma hit the Florida Keys. A category 4 in certain parts. Almost a year later, Irma’s destructive violence still with us.

People remain without furniture and appliances. The non-profit Farm Share and Monroe County’s Long Term Recovery Group will be providing in Marathon on Irma’s September 10 anniversary date free furniture and appliances for those in need. Individuals and families in disaster case management programs.

The Key West Bight jetty has been an eye sore since September 10. Broken boats and debris were thrown upon the jetty. Cleanup began this eek. It is anticipated it will take til the end of September to complete the cleanup.

Nostalgia time. Days of old return. Sonic Drive-In expects to open this week. Like drive-ins following World War II. The drive-in procedure involving a girl coming out to the car to take your order, return with it, place it on a tray hung on an open windowed door, and you enjoyed.

Sonic marks a return of the yesteryear drive-in. A new one constructed on North Roosevelt Boulevard. Sixteen parking slots. Carhops taking your order. Eat in the car or at outdoor tables.

When MacDonald’s opened in the 1950’s, there were no indoor tables. You ordered at an outside window and ate in the car. Back in those days there was a Kewpee chain. One in Utica. Terrific cheeseburgers and thick shakes. Ate in the car. Carhops taking the order and returning with it.

Many times, we would take the burgers and shakes and drive to another spot to eat them. A parking location. Generally, the Eagle in Utica. Called the Eagle because there was a statue of one on a park top hill. We would dine and then neck. Nothing more. Kissing was as far as it went in those days.

Labor Day Weekend is upon us. Key West will be full. Glad the tourists will be returning in large numbers. The town has been quiet the past few weeks.

I mentioned a few days ago that lizards had now joined iguanas in the Florida Keys. Not knowing much about lizards, I assumed they were similar to iguanas in appearance and size. I was wrong.

A lizard established itself in the back yard of a family home in Davie this week. Seven feet long, estimated 150 pounds. Does not want to leave. Avoids capture.

A Monitor lizard. The family has been advised not to be concerned. Monitor lizards are not known to  attack people.

Needless to say, the family are not happy campers.

Venezuela not the only South American country having financial problems. Argentina’s economy ready to topple. Inflation 25.4 percent, interest rates 60 percent. Banks low on reserve money.

Something I never knew. Sandy Koufax a great baseball pitcher. A Hall of Famer.

He began in 1955. From 1955 through 1961, his record was 36 wins, 51 losses. Not Hall of Fame numbers.

Then he got hot. He only played another 5 years because of an elbow injury. In those 5 years, he made his mark as one of baseball’s great pitchers. He walked only 2.1 per game. Threw 3 no hitters. Won 4 World Series games. Cy Young pitcher 3 years. In 1965, struck out 382.

A late bloomer!

Enjoy your day!

 

DOLLEY MADISON ALMOST CAPTURED BY BRITISH SAVING WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A COPY OF WASHINGTON’S PORTRAIT

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Dolley Madison became one of America’s most famous First Wives this day in 1814. The War of 1812 already 2 years old. The British close to taking Washington. President Madison had left to fight the approaching British Army.

He told Dolley to get out soon. She was getting some things together. The last object she decided to take was the portrait of George Washington. No way was she going to leave it to be defaced by the British.

Dolley lost time taking the portrait down. The frame was screwed to the wall. Finally, she cut the canvas out and rolled it up to be taken.

The British at the time a breath away. Dolley was able to escape, however.

The next night, the British dined in the White House using the White House’s silver and china. Then, they burned the White House down.

Dolley forever remembered for her bravery in saving Washington’s portrait.

It was only later that discovered that the portrait was not the original by Gilbert Stuart. It was merely a copy.

Made no difference. Dolley had made her mark in history.

A unique experience last night. Dinner at La Trattoria with Mary. A new friend.

Mary had invited me to dinner. Told me at the time she would be paying. I said, no. She said, yes. A generational thing. Mary is younger than me generation wise. My generation, the man always pays. Hers, it makes no difference.

She wanted to make the point. I let her. Enjoyed her company and a good meal.

Cheated. Not with Mary. With the meal. I celebrated my hitting 200 pounds. Ordered lasagna. Gained a pound. Worth it.

Mary and I then headed to Blue Macaw for a drink. I was tired. It was past 9. Mary still alive and raring to go. I begged off and left her. No problem. She understood. A generational thing.

The bartender at La Trattoria an old acquaintance. She was the one who came around the bar and gave me the Heimlich the night I was choking. Bonded forever.

Today, a haircut at noon with Lori. Then a walk of about 50 feet to Sandy’s Cafe for lunch.

Tonight, the Chart Room. Several nights since I have been there.

The weatherman at it again. Predicts thunder storms tonight. Describes it as “light up the night.” Correct. Dogs and humans will be startled. Lightening at the ocean comes right through the blinds. Lights up the room!

My man in Europe. Paul Harding. On a three week vacation with his partner Ron. Harding has been advising me on European public urinals.

He was in Amsterdam yesterday. Outdoor public urinals commonplace. Normally constructed because men pee in the streets. I still cannot understand such activity.

In any event, Amsterdam built the public urinals to save lives, not to kill bad odor. Turns out in the 3 years prior to the public urinals being constructed, 51 men died in Amsterdam canals. They fell in the water while peeing and drowned.

One of the jurors in the Manafort trial has spoken out. Paula Duncan. She said re the 10 charges that resulted in a hung jury, there was only one hold out. Eleven were for guilty.

Manafort should swiftly move his ass to Mueller and cooperate. He has yet another trial. He will never get out of jail otherwise.

Juror Duncan an interesting person. A Trump supporter. Did not affect her judgment. Plans on voting for him again in 2020. Wears a red MAGA hat. It was in the back seat of her car while she was playing juror.

Duncan advised the deliberations were heated and emotional on occasion. Tears shed by some.

Saudi Arabia is seeking the death penalty for a woman activist. Her name Israa al-Ghomgham. Everything secretive. She may already be on trial before a terrorist court.

One of the charges involves violent behavior. She demonstrated for the right of women to drive, the cessation by the Sunnis of preventing the free practice of religion, and more opportunity for work and education for women.

Israa a Shiite Muslim activist. Religion plays into this also.

Trump a good friend of the Saudis. He should intervene on Israa’s behalf. He won’t. He was quick to say the U.S. would invade Venezuela. In the past 24 hours, he has denounced the black government of South Africa. A female life not as important as oil and racism.

Pete Rose. One of baseball’s greats. He was banned from baseball this day in 1989 for life for betting on baseball. Never bet on his team to lose, only to win.

It has now been 29 years. We are a forgiving people. Time for the ban to be lifted. Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame! Lets do it before he dies.

Enjoy your day!