GREAT BASKETBALL

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It cannot be denied. Last night was great basketball! Both teams should be proud. Unfortunately, both teams could not win.

From my perspective, the game was won by Duke in the last 5 minutes and won because of coaching. Krzyzewski slowed his team down. They held onto the ball and did not attempt a shot till there was only 7-8 seconds left on the shot clock. Duke only had a 3 point lead when they started playing in this fashion. Turned out it was the thing to do. Duke won by 5 points.

One negative re the game. Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan’s interview comments following the game. He was hurt. Dejected. Two years in a row he had been to the final game and lost.

Ryan’s bitterness showed in his comments re the refereeing. He thought not enough nor proper foul calls were made when his guys were being pushed around.

I did not see it, could not agree. Yes, it was  a hard fought game. Neither team had a referee calling advantage or anything else, however.

Bo Ryan is a great coach. He will be back. He probably regrets his comments this morning.

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

Topics include California’s water problem and Nestles, another police shooting full of apparent lies by the police officers involved, a Monsanto employee inadvertently revealing Monsanto has a whole department dedicated to destroying anything and anyone who speaks out against Monsanto, Iceland’s dramatic success in handling banks, and more.

Sloppy Joe’s. Began at the present location of Captain Tony’s on Greene Street, then moved to its present location on Duval. The Key West Citizen’s This Date in History section indicates the move occurred on this date in 1935. I think the date is wrong. It was May 5, 1937.

Whatever, it is easy to make a mistake re historical facts. I know.

The weather has been outstanding and will continue to be so the rest of this week. Mid 80s. Still not humid.

I fell two weeks ago and injured my left hip. Would you believe, it still hurts! I could not lie in bed for 10 days. Had to sleep in  a recliner chair. Not the best, but better than the bed. The last 3 nights I have slept in bed. Only half the night. The pain moves me back to the recliner chair.

The hip was x-rayed. No fracture.

Interesting is the bruising. Note, I am on a blood thinner. The bruising began two days after the fall. It is an expanding bruise. It now covers my entire left hip and buttock. Has moved along my lumbar back and appears on the right buttock. The bruise also runs down the side of my left leg and then moves around behind the left knee. Every place a deep purple.

I have never seen such bruising on my body before. Though I have seen it. My father fell a lot and had similar bruises. No question, I am my father’s son.

Buffalo’s Bob Saraceno arrives today. A loyal Key West Lou fan. We are scheduled to meet friday night at the Chart Room.

Enjoy your day!

365 DAYS TILL EASTER

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Another holiday behind us.

Holidays are good for the soul, bad for the body. Too much eating. I blew my diet, of course. I had planned on it. Amazing how good everything tasted!

I arrived at Lisa’s at the prescribed time. Nine. The egg hunt was over. Robert and Ally could not wait. They were into it at 7:30.

Lisa hides Easter goodies in the yard. Jake participated in the search. He found three items. Fortunately, none a hard boiled egg.

I decided Robert and Ally were on in their years and Easter baskets were no longer for them. I bought them each a book instead. They were thrilled. Robert volunteered they were too old for candy. How fast they mature!

Lisa had prepared a huge Easter breakfast. Everything good.

 

She scored big time with the cassata. Oh, my diet!

Cassata is Italian cheese cake. First time Lisa made it. I have not had a piece in at least 10 years. A winner! Just like my grandmother and mother used to make.

On the way home, I stopped at the Marriott Beachside. Needed a walk. The walk took me around the Marriott’s grounds and garages.

My day was spent at home doing this week’s KONK Life column. Money Corrupts. Concerns politicians. A cause and effect treatise. Starts with the Federalist Society. Then to the Citizens United decision. Finally ending with Senator Robert Menendez. An interesting analysis.

When I started visiting Key West more than 25 years ago, the season was over Easter Sunday. Half the visitors left Easter Sunday. The remaining half the next Sunday.

No more. The season now runs through the end of August.

Before people started visiting Key West during the several months following Easter Sunday, Key Westers would tell how quiet Duval became. The morning after Easter Sunday, there were few people left in Key West. You could throw a bowling ball down Duval and hit no one.

Big basketball tonight! Duke/Wisconsin. The final game of the Final Four. The teams are considered equal. There is no point spread. Either team can win.

I have a problem. I could not get the Friday games on CBS. There were two other streaming channels. One for Kentucky and the other for Wisconsin. I watched both, skipping back and forth.

Streaming a poor way to watch. The broadcasters on each school’s channel consistently commented in support of the school they were at. Many negative comments re the opposing team. I needed Dick Vitale!

I have Comcast. If anyone can tell me how to find CBS for the game, e mail me. It has to be somewhere, CBS something. I subscribe to most channels.

Enjoy your day!

HAPPY EASTER!

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Happy Easter one and all! To those not Christian, Happy what ever your holiday. Such as Passover. And to those neither Christian nor Jewish, a Happy Day to you!

When my children were young, I started a family tradition. An Easter Sunday egg hunt. It was for the children. Then their children. Now for the two young ones left. Robert and Ally.

There came a time in between when the children were no longer young and the grandchildren not yet on the scene. We kept the tradition going. The older people did the searching. The first participants were my mother and father. One year, my former wife and I did the scurrying around searching.

This morning I have to be at Lisa’s at 9. For the Easter egg hunt!

The tradition is more than 50 years old.

Great basketball last night! Kentucky was not the better team on the floor. Especially in the last 5 minutes. Wisconsin deserved to win. Kentucky has nothing to be ashamed of. They had a hell of a year!

Monday night, Duke/Kentucky. I suspect it will be one of the best games ever.

On this day in 1969, President Truman and his wife Bess left Key West for the last time. The President’s 11th visit. The day he left was the 175th one he had been in Key West.

Where are you Bum Farto? When I first saw the statement many years ago, I thought it was a joke. Bum Farto? Who would have a name like that?

Bum Farto was at one time the Key West Fire Chief. He was convicted on a drug charge in 1976. He failed to show up in court for sentencing. He has neither been seen nor heard from since.

Enjoy this holiday Sunday!

 

KENTUCKY, NORTH DAKOTA AND KENTUCKY DERBY

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I spent yesterday afternoon trying to decide what my KONK Life column will be this week. Four topics have been zeroed in on. I have to pick one today, finish my research and start writing.

The topics tickling me this week are all interesting. The Chamberlain story never told, Iceland kicking the ass of banks and bankers since 2008, the beginnings of money corruption/corporate influence in the 1960s, and Nestles and California water.

Met some terrific people in the Chart Room last night. Unfortunately, I was late for a dinner reservation and could not spend as much time as I would have liked. I am confident however we will run into each other. The two couples recently bought homes in Key West.

Five persons in all. Out together for the evening.

First, David and Marilyn. Presently have two homes. One in Owensboro, Kentucky and the other on Emma Street in Key West. David is a retired school teacher, Marilyn manages a dental office.

A second couple was Martin and Brandy. One home in West Fargo, North Dakota and the other on Washington Street in Key West. Martin and Brandy still work for Caterpillar.

Money is big in North Dakota because of oil. I jokingly said I could go to North Dakota, get a job at McDonalds and end up earning a ton of money. Some truth to the statement.

The fifth person was David from Bowling Green, Kentucky. He is Martin’s father. Mentioned several times how Martin had purchased his ticket and brought him down for a visit. Proudly so. He reminded me of my father. Dad died two years ago at 98. He visited Key West many times.  Always happy to be with me. Proud of his son who had a home in Key West.

David mentioned he had something to do with a piece of land in the 1980s in Kentucky. Spend A Buck was the 1985 Kentucky Derby winner. He trained on the land.

Keith and Jennifer met me at the Chart Room. We had a drink and then were off to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner.

We had a lot of fun at the Hot Tin Roof. Keith and Jennifer are part of my bocce team.

My saturday night is already committed. I will be watching the Final Four in my bedroom from the comfort of the recliner chair. I have given up running around town trying to find a new venue for basketball watching. There are tons of reasons none tried so far worked for me.

I do not care who wins. I have no particular choice. I just want to watch good basketball.

Passover is upon us. Seder is part of Passover.

I have experienced several seder dinners over the years. The first time was 15 years ago with Aaron Wechter. In recent years, with Donna Barnett at her daughter’s Key West home. I am always invited. Had to skip last night because of my prior committment with Keith and Jennifer.

Donna and Terri White have lived in California for roughly three years. I have not seen them in a while. We have been in touch and plan on meeting in the next few days.

Tomorrow is Easter. I have to get Easter gifts for Robert and Ally. I always wait till the last minute to do things of this nature. I am the greatest Christmas Eve shopper you ever met!

Robert and Ally are 10 and 9 respectively. They will get enough baskets, candy and chocolate bunnies from others. I have decided it is time for something different. I plan on buying each a book.

Today’s KONK Life E-Blast carries my most recent column. Things We Should Know. Take a look.

Enjoy your day!

 

Good Friday

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He is dead.

Good Friday. The day Christ was crucified.

The Catholic Church notes the crucifixion/death with a three hour service beginning at noon. I assume Catholic Churches world wide will be packed for the three hours. Priests will speak, the laity pray.

I said assume because I have not attended such a service since high school. Shame on me! Attending a Catholic high school meant attendance was mandatory.

It was not my favorite time. The three hours took forever! Being in my teens, my mind was not necessarily where it should have been. I was prone to admire the lovely girl across the aisle.

My ribs hurt like hell yesterday. I was uncomfortable from 3 in the morning till 10 last night. Pain! Kept me on edge. I am waiting for x-ray results. My admonition….Don’t fall!

Obviously, I did not attend bocce last night. No way could I squat or throw the ball. I was not needed. Spoke with Keith this morning. We won all three games. The team is now 20-4. Hard to believe! We are tied for second.

The #1 team has lost only one game. We have not played the #1 team the the team tied with us for second place. Those games will be the moment of truth.

The Key West Library speaker series has turned me on to the Key West Library. There is a book sale saturday at the Library in the Palm Garden next door. Most books will be priced at $1. Some, a $1.50.

Libraries were a part of life when I was young. Computers and the internet did not exist. Through college and law school, it was the same. Much time spent in libraries. Took tons of time to research everything.

The internet is a wonder! A joy! Quick response to an inquiry. All the detail immediately available on screen.

A different day!

I screwed up yesterday. I admonished the Key West Citizen for failing to publish the Citizen’s usual Fools’ Day front page. Keely Brown commented that the April Fool portion of the Citizen was a whole section of the paper. It ran at the end of the usual paper. Following the want ads.

Before I start writing the blog, I first read the Citizen, E-Blast, peruse the New York Times and Washington Post, and three other news sources. Time becomes a priority. I stop reading the Citizen at page two of the Sport Section. Nothing after that is of interest to me. Yesterday was the wrong day to stop.

Thank you Keely Brown for your comment!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

I CHEATED!

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It had to happen. Last night, I cheated. I am not happy about it this morning.

I have been dieting since mid November. At the moment, I am down 35 pounds. I have been stuck at 35 pounds for 3 weeks. Just as I was stuck for a period of time at 27 and 30 pounds.

My will power is not that strong. I need the encouragement of the scale. I need to see the pounds coming off.

I gave in. I ate! A full meal! First time in four months. Delicious!

I had not intended to give in. The thought had not entered my mind. I was not tempted. However as I sat at the outside bar at La Te Da, I suddenly said what the hell!

It was raspberry glazed duck. I ate it all! Plus the vegetables and delicious bread and butter.

A good boy I was not.

I woke in the middle of the night with a heavy feeling. In my head as well as stomach. Could not sleep. I still have that heavy feeling this morning.

I learned a lesson. When you have been avoiding food for a long time, you cannot dive in like I did.

As always, La Te Da was enjoyable. Don was with me. It was good to see my bartender friend of many years, Tonto.

Met a terrific couple. Joe and Jane. Their other home is New Jersey. They also own a home in Key West on Olivia Street. Six months here, six months there. Both retired school teachers. I enjoyed their company. Just my luck, there six months in Key West ends today. We will have to wait till November to continue the relationship.

I intended to attend the Jimmy Buffett concert at Higgs Beach. I got stuck home on a one hour plus business call. By the time I left, it was almost 7. Buffett was due to appear at 7:30. Parking would be a pain. I would have had to park too far away. A long walk to the concert and then back to the car did not turn me on. I went to Don’s Place instead.

All was not lost, however! The concert has been recorded for replay on margaritaville.com. It will air at specified times over the next few days. If you too missed Buffett, take advantage of the recording and watch the concert at your convenience starting today.

It was Don, David, Toni and John at Don’s Place. Don, David and I got involved in a long bocce discussion. How long can we keep playing as we have this season? We are 17-4.

Don always wants to change things. He likes to move players around. I told him to leave well enough alone. It ain’t broke. Don’t fix it.

We play again tonight.

Saw Dr. Jackie Lefferts in the morning. My body still aching from the falls I took. My left hip and butt are a  dark purple inside a black ring. The bruising is bad because I am on  a blood thinner. My ribs had started hurting. The reason for the visit. She does not think I broke one. I was sent for an x-ray and will receive the results today.

We talked about my frequent falling recently. She thinks I have a balance problem. I don’tknow. I am being scheduled for balance exercises at the physiotherapist’s.

Getting old is fun!

Enjoy your day! Don’t fall!

APRIL FOOLS’ DAY NO MORE

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One of the finest April Fools’ Day pranks was that once done annually  by the Key West Citizen. The front page of the Citizen on April Fools’ Day was a total joke. A phony. Pure fabrication. Seriously represented, however.

Close to 20 years ago, the front page major article concerned itself with smoking in public places. Understand that back then, smoking was merely considered a problem. The dramatic inroads accomplished since re banning smoking had not yet occurred.

The article said the Key West City Commission in a meeting the evening before had prohibited smoking in all public places. Such included restaurants, bars, on the streets, and on the beaches.

I recall exclaiming to my then wife that the City Commission had no right to do what they did! Outrageous! Against the law! My wife pointed out that it was April Fools’ Day.

The Citizen had gotcha’d me!

Unfortunately, the Citizen no longer publishes such a front page.

April Fools’ Day is celebrated in most countries. The day’s origins uncertain. Some claim first mention of the day occurred in 1392 in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Many disagree.

Another favored source goes way back to the ancient cultures of the Romans and Hindus. Partiers. Tricks were played and people were sent off on fools’ errands.

Pope Gregory XIII comes into the picture. New Year’s Day was then celebrated around April 1. The Pope changed the calendar and moved it to January 1. The day may have changed, the partying had not. April 1 continued to be celebrated as a fun and frolic day.

Big night in Key West! Jimmy Buffett returns! He is performing 7:30 at San Carlos. There will also be a free performance on a huge screen on Higgs Beach. Shown live simultaneous with the San Carlos event.

Higgs Beach will be big time crowded! An event!

I plan on attending.

I enjoy sharing Truman stories with you. Key West was Truman’s favorite place. Unquestionably. He made 11 trips here which totaled 175 days.

On this day in 1950, the President’s wife Bess and daughter Margaret arrived to join him at the Little White House.

Surprising Mrs. Truman showed up. She disliked Washington and apparently anything that had to do with politics. She spent most of her time back in Independence, Missouri.

Truman was often left alone at times when he could have used the comfort of his wife. History does not attribute this situation to any improper liason by either. Truman was deeply in love with his wife. Wrote her almost daily letters. Mrs. Truman did not enjoy the Washington scene.

I spent my yesterday fine tuning last night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. The show went well. My purpose was to share some things kept from the American public. I assume intentionally.

My tuesday’s are always the same. I work on the show by day. Do the show in the evening. Cook dinner for myself in between. I rarely leave the house on a tuesday. My dinner last night was not spectacular. I had a craving for oatmeal. It was oatmeal and a banana.

Enjoy your day!

WHITEHEAD STREET

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I frequently drive over Whitehead Street. I have always been impressed with the lines of people waiting at the Hemingway House and Southernmost Point.
Especially, this year. The lines are significantly longer. Almost to Truman re Hemingway House. More than halfway to Duval re the Southernmost Point.

Proof that not all tourists visit Key West to bar hop.

Whitehead Street is named after John Whitehead. Whitehead is often described as one of the First Developers of Key West. Also, one of four persons recognized as Key West’s Founding Fathers.

Strangely, Whitehead spent only spent 8 years of his life in Key West. He left in 1832. Only returned once thereafter. In 1861, during the Civil War.

John Whitehead’s younger brother, William Adee Whitehead, spent his life in Key West. He was editor of the Enquirer, a local newspaper. William platted the main arteries of Key West. He named four streets after the four Founding Fathers. His brother John Whitehead being one.

The name is still in use today on the same street located in the same place. The home today of the Hemingway House and the Southernmost Point.

Burmese pythons are back in the news. I have written and talked about them for several years. The pythons have propagated themselves to the point that State officials admit they can never be eradicated. Present attempts are to control the python population.

The latest news is that where ever the Burmese pythons are, small mammals disappear.

A University of Florida research team wanted to be sure the cause was pythons. Thirty marsh rabbits were outfitted with radio collars. The researchers could then track the rabbits via the signals. In most instances, the tracking led to a python. No marsh rabbits in sight. The radio collar signaling from the inside of a python stomach.

The conclusion apparent. Burmese pythons are ingesting small mammals.

I made a mistake re how our bocce team is doing. I had the numbers wrong. They are better than represented. My team is 17-4 and we are in second place. A definite first! We have never experienced such a start.

My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. At 9, my time. A quick half hour of interesting observations. Most eye openers. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Topics tonight include Bill Gates’ comments re concrete production in the U.S. and China, DEA sexual activities  and how treated, Topeka Police Department’s new rule that every time a car is stopped all occupants must raise their hands, a comparative review of the U.S. health system, Roundup claimed to be drinkable by a scientist who then refused a glass when offered to him, and more.

Big evening last night! A couple of hours in the Chart Room chatting with the bartender, grocery shopping at Publix, and a prescription pick up at Walgreens.

I lead an exciting life!

Hip still sore. My body still aching. Slept again last night in the recliner chair. Not the best sleep. Better than no sleep at all, however.

Enjoy your day!

JIMMY BUFFETT RETURNS

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I begin with good news and bad news.

The good news concerns Jimmy Buffett. He returns to Key West wednesday evening. He will appear at the San Carlos. The place is booked solid. No room at the inn.

Being Jimmy Buffett, he once again went a step further. He has financed the placement of a big screen on Higgs Beach wednesday night. His concert from San Carlos will be aired live on the beach screen. Free!

The beach will definitely be overloaded.

Buffett’s concert is at 7:30. His daughter is starting the Higgs Beach event at 4:30. A mini Woodstock in the making.

The bad news. The Key West City Commission has under consideration paying retired police and firemen a 13th monthly check. The union has asked for the generosity advising that the pensions of many are under the poverty level. Many are struggling on fixed incomes and most do not have health care.

My response is simple. A big NO!

There are many in Key West living on fixed incomes and do not have health plans. What of them?

The union has a hell of a nerve asking for the extra check. Why didn’t they negotiate more money and a health care plan back when?

Social Security is the sole income for many seniors. Monthly check payments for most are definitely below the poverty level. Will they get a 13th monthly check?

The problem police and fire retirees are experiencing is the same many others are in the United States. Retirees from other occupations included. It is part of the times we live in. Unless part of the 1 percent, we are all in bed together.

It is reported the City Commission is wary of the request and has tabled it for a vote. I am wary of the City Commission. They blow taxpayer dollars on a consistent basis. They spend money like they are the Koch Brothers. The difference being that with the Koch Brothers the money is theirs. With the City Commission, it is not. They are taxpayer dollars as opposed to personal monies.

Pru Sowers has written an excellent article on the request for a 13th monthly payment to police and fire retirees. The article is pure factual reporting. It appears in this morning’s KONK Life E-Blast.

Vehicle traffic is unquestionably a Key West problem. Especially during tourist season. Too many cars for too few and too narrow streets.

Today’s Key West Citizen’s Citizens’ Voice suggests a solution. Limit the number of cars permitted in certain areas of Key West.

Paris began such a system this past week. They have devised a plan used once before. It worked then and is expected to work now. It will cut the number of cars coming into Paris center by 50 percent.

The Paris problem is different from Key West’s. The solution perhaps the same. Paris has an extreme pollution problem. It is now said that Paris is the worst city in the world for air pollution. So bad, that on mist days smog completely envelops the city. The Eiffel Tower cannot be seen.

The Key West City Commission should study the Paris solution. Of course, they probably will only do so after spending $200,000 on a study. And then, they will neither use the study nor provide any solution to the traffic problem.

I spent yesterday writing this week’s KONK Life column. Things We Should Know. Very interesting! An eye opener in many instances. The article publishes wednesday.

Enjoy your day!

PALM SUNDAY

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Palm Sunday is significant in most Christian churches. It was in the Catholic Church I knew.

Key West probably never had a problem with palm sufficiency. Up north in Utica, I can recall a time when palms were scarce for some reason. Either costly or unavailable. Instead of getting all the palms you wanted at Mass, one had to settle for a single branch.

Palm Sunday was special in the Italian tradition. Palms were exchanged. Family and friends would come to our house and exchange palms with us. Followed by coffee. We went to certain homes and exchanged palms.

It was family dinner time! In and of itself should not have excited me. Every Sunday was family dinner time at my grandparents’.

I had an uncle who was talented in manipulating the palm branches. He could make crosses of all sizes, little hats, etc. It was always good to see him as I would walk away with a lot of “loot”.

The celebration of Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palm branches were placed in his path.

When palms were plentiful, my neighborhood Catholic Church had many palms left over. When the shortage hit, I assume they kept some. The reason being that this year’s left over palms are needed for the next year’s Ash Wednesday. The left over palms burned. The ashes used to put  thumbprints on the foreheads of the faithful.

This morning’s Key West Citizen’s Keys History section carries a post card picture of  Little White House and Naval Station circa 1910. What a difference from today

The Little White House had an excellent ocean view. There were no buildings between the Little White House and ocean. Condos, other buildings and the boardwalk  not yet built. The water was a short uninterrupted walk out the back door of the Little White House.

I spent yesterday afternoon researching this week’s KONK Life column. About things most people are not aware, but should know. I will write the column today. I have not decided on a title yet.

Last night was me and a busy Key West. Tourist driven.

I went for dinner to Tavern ‘n Town. Wanted to listen to Bobby Nesbitt, also. No way, Jose! the place was mobbed. Not a bar stool available. Bobby said it was crazy. I agreed and left.

My next stop was the Chart Room. I figured to run into some people I knew and quietly drink the evening away. No luck, again! The Chart Room was packed. Very much so. No locals. I was not in the mood to meet and chat with strangers.

Turned around and walked over to the Hot Tin Roof. Same situation. Tons of tourists. No problem, however, a table in the bar area was waiting.

Spoke with Joseph a bit. Joseph is the Hot Tin Roof manager. He is also the warden at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. A good man. We talked about St. Paul’s.

Then home. Could not sleep in bed again. My hip. Spent the night in the recliner chair. No problem. slept like a baby!

Enjoy your Sunday!