Syracuse No, Manhattan Yes

Posted on by

Yesterday was Sunday. I spent the first four hours finishing this week’s KONK Life column. Making of a Star. Re Tom Cotton. The young U.S. Senator who wrote the letter to Iran signed by 46 Republican Senators. The public should be aware of the nature of the man. A protegé of the conservative far right, he is being groomed for the Presidency. I consider him dangerous.

I was surprised at a comment by Mika Brezinski this morning. She referred to the Senators who signed the letter as “toddlers at play.” Not really. I doubt she is aware of Cotton’s background..

A guest on Good Morning Joe referred to the Congressman chairing the subcommittee looking into Hillary’s e-mails as “Gomer Pyle.”

Respect is fading in today’s society. We see it in our elected representatives. We are entitled to better from media news pundits.

After completing the column, I did yesterday’s blog.

A full morning of writing!

I took the afternoon off. I was tired from all the writing. Decided on Salute’s. Took the book I have been reading. Operation Sea Lion by Leo McKinstry. The story of England 1941 anticipating a German invasion. I finished the book while at Salute’s.

I found a table outside by the main door. Sat looking out onto the beach. Between pages, enjoyed the young ladies I felt guilty looking at the other day.

Operation Sea Lion is one of the best books I have read on World War II. I recommend it to you. The summer and fall of 1941 were very dangerous for the English. The bravery and confidence of the English people and Churchill are highly commendable. It made me wonder if we would handle a threatened invasion in the same fashion.

Last night was watching the NCAA seeds. I have no Syracuse to pull for. However, my undergraduate school made it. Manhattan College. A small Catholic college at the north end of New York near the Yonkers border.

Manhattan has a tough roll. They must play their way in. They first must beat Hampton. Their reward for winning is Kentucky. Number 1 and number 16 facing each other.

Manhattan’s coach is Steve Masiello. Played college ball for Louisville as a walk on. Got to two Final Fours, one won. Thereafter, he was an assistant coach to Rick Pitino at Louisville for six years.

Go ‘Cuse now becomes Go Jaspers!

Tonight is the Friends of the Key West Library Lecture Series. The speaker Les Staniford. He recently wrote a book about certain Revolutionary participants. Like John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Patrick Henry. I am a history freak. His talk should be interesting.

Sissy Spacek and Sam Shepard have spent the past year in the Florida keys filming a new TV show. Bloodline. Thirteen episodes start this friday evening via Netflix. The show’s action takes place primarily in Islamorada and Key Largo.

Harry Truman. Key West loves Harry Truman! Truman loved Key West! On this date in 1950, he arrived for a three week vacation. One of the eleven trips he made to Key West, all of which totaled 175 days.

Enjoy your day!

 

SAVE OUR PINES DAY

Posted on by

Blog late this Sunday morning. Sorry. I spent most of yesterday working on this week’s KONK Life column. There was more to do. It took from 6-10 this morning.

The title is Making A Star. The Tom Cotton story. He is the U.S. Senator who penned the Iranian letter that 46 Republican Senators signed. The column an eye opener.

Some 15 years ago give or take, the State of Florida decided the Australian pines at Fort Zach Taylor Beach had to go. The pines were purportedly dangerous to the rest of the foliage enviroment, etc.

A group of Key Westers got together and fought the removal of the pines. It was not easy. However, after much grief, joy, and BS from the State, the group won. The pines still stand tall at the Fort Zach Taylor Beach.

The pines are perfect. If the sun gets too much, one can sit anywhere under them. Very cool.

Key West Mayor Cates announced that today is Save Our Pines Day. An annual pot luck picnic will take place at the Beach under the pines. Open to the public.

St. Patrick’s Day coming. Green beer day! The bars will do a booming business. Tourists will enjoy. Streets will be closed off for partying.

Enjoy your Sunday!

FLY TO HAVANA

Posted on by

It finally happened! The first flight from Key West to Havana without all the red tape. Friday was the big day. The first regularly scheduled flight in 55 years. Havana Air the airline.

The start of something good. The remarriage of Key West and Havana is long overdue.

I started my research for this week’s KONK Life column thursday. Researched all day yesterday. I plan on writing the column today. The topic is Tom Cotton. He is the new U.S. Senator from Arkansas. He is also the author of the letter to Iran that 46 other Republican Senators signed trying to discourage Iran from signing any nuclear agreement with the United States.

His background surprising. He is to be taken seriously. A dangerous man who is being groomed for the Presidency.

A unique evening. Drinks first at the Chart Room. Then a long slow dinner at the Hot Tin Roof. My companion, June Hudson. We chatted so long that by the time we were ready to leave, we were the only customers left. A good time!

John Lukas was at the Hot Tin Roof bar earlier in the evening. I stopped and talked with him a bit. A good guy. I had not seen him since JDL’s Sports Bar closed several months ago.

We all have committed a faux pas or two. No one is perfect. Everyone occasionally makes a mistake. Some can be embarrassing.

The Key West Citizen published a Wedding Guide for 2015. Describes perfect honeymoon locations. No mention of Key West! A major faux pas. Especially since Key West is considered the #2 place in the United States for a wedding.

The main story in this morning’s Key West Citizen involves animal shelters. The three located in the Keys. The Upper Keys, Marathon, and Key West. Turns out the Upper Keys facility is performing more euthanizations than Marathon and Key West.

Eighty percent of dogs and 79 percent of cats are put down. Substantially more than the other two facilities. Something wrong in Denmark here!

When I was a young lawyer in Utica, I joined the Sons of Italy. My mother was born in Italy, my father in the U.S. After being an active member for several years, I dropped out. My practice had grown and I had to cut back on outside activities.

There is a Sons of Italy chapter in Key West. I never joined. The name has been altered. It now is the Sons and Daughters of Italy. Most of today’s Italo-Americans are second generation. Both genders are now accepted equally into the fold.

Enjoy your day!

A SPRING BREAK BEACH

Posted on by

It was a bit overcast early yesterday afternoon. I decided to walk Smathers Beach. I forgot it was spring break time.

I must share an impression. I felt old. Even better, antiquated. They are all young! Very Young! I almost felt pedophilic looking at the young ladies.

Twenty five years ago when I first visited Key West, it was spring break time. The young ladies looked young, but still woman like. I was not ashamed to look.

Yesterday was different. They were too young looking. It was because I had become too old. At 79, a 20 year old looked like a high school teenager.

Bocce last night! We won all three games. We were not overjoyed, however. We killed the opposition in the first game. The next two were close and we could have lost either or both.

Why were we unhappy? The team we played had only won one game till last night. They still have won only one game, but made a fight of it against us.

With one exception, none of us was up to our usual ability. We sucked! Clare was the only shining light.

Captain David has been saying for three years that we play to our competitor’s level. A valid observation last night.

I was happily surprised at one point. Robert and Jake showed up. Robert was walking Jake. I was happy to see him. A hug and kiss are always good.

Jake surprised me. I had never seen him before with a number of other dogs around. Everyone brings their dog to bocce. Jake handled it well. Sniffing away, the dogs were friendly with each other.

A loyal blog reader is Marty from the Blue Ridge. He comments frequently. Engages with others in arguing some point raised in the blog.

Yesterday, I wrote about the Great Blizzard of 1888. Marty brought to my attention the Great Northeast Heat Wave of 1896. Extended from Chicago through New York and Boston. Lasted 10 days. The temperature above 90 degrees, day and night. There was no breeze. Some 1,500 died.

Living conditions in New York were deplorable for poor immigrant families. They lived 5-6 to a room, no air circulation and no running water.

The  heat wave was Theodore Roosevelt’s introduction to prominence. He was a little known Police Commissioner. He had ice distributed free from the police stations.

Tonight, dinner with June Hudson. I have been looking forward to it all week. We have known each other for over 20 years. However since her husband Bill died two years ago, we have seen little of each other.

Enjoy your day!

 

TRUMAN’S VACATION HAVEN

Posted on by

The History section of this morning’s Key West Citizen notes that on this day in 1950, President Truman arrived in Key West for a one month vacation. The month long stay is indicative of how much the President enjoyed Key West.

It was not the first time Truman had visited Key West. He actually visited 11 times. His 11 stays totaled 175 days. Key West his home away from Washington.

Truman would stay at what is known today as the Little White House. Back then it was the Commander’s Quarters on the Naval Base.

Truman did not sit on his butt the whole 30 days doing nothing. An aide accompanying the President set forth in detail what Truman did every day.

He would come with an entourage. His close staff, a couple of Generals and Admirals, a cabinet member or two, and some close friends from Independence. He would walk in the early morning, work most of the day. In between work, he took time some days to visit the beach  where he did some sunning and swimming. Occasionally, he fished. There is a photo of Truman in his undershirt sitting in a small flat boat fishing.

His evenings were generally the same. A couple of drinks followed by dinner. Then cards. Truman enjoyed playing cards and did so every evening. Enjoyed another drink or two. Then to an early bed. Around 9 many evenings.

Truman left an indelible print on Key West. He is an integral part of Key West history.

Last night was Don’s Place for a while. Many from the bocce team there. Don, David, Stan and Clare. The conversation centered around bocce and Syracuse and Ohio State basketball.

The cupboard was bare again. Stopped at Publix on the way home.

A couple of years ago, I read somewhere that supermarkets in poor neighborhoods would raise their prices on the days welfare checks were received. I think Publix is doing it here and now in Key West. Not for welfare recipients, however. Since the season started, prices have inched up and there are fewer sale items.

With Syracuse not playing in any post season tournaments, my basketball interest has faded. Big time! When I had Syracuse to follow, I would also watch other teams play. Now, I could care less.

Bocce tonight! The team is off to a better than usual start. May we keep it going!

Enjoy your day!

GREAT BLIZZARD OF 1888

Posted on by

Sitting here in Key West enjoying 80 degree weather, I write first of snow. Lots of snow. The Great Blizzard of 1888. The northeast. New York City hit hard, as Boston  was in recent weeks. However, the Great Blizzard took only 24 hours.

Considered one of the most severe blizzards ever, it claimed 400 lives. Twenty to sixty inches of snow fell in different areas. Winds 45 mph. Snowdrifts in excess of 50 feet.

Roscoe Conkling had studied law in my home town of Utica, NY. He became District Attorney of the County and Mayor of Utica. Then engaged in a thriving law practice. He was considered a great orator. Conkling was elected to the House of Representatives several times and then served for 18 years in the U.S. Senate.

He became a major political figure state wide and nationally. He made presidents. One being Ulysses Grant. Grant offered him the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Conkling refused. Years earlier, he was nominated to the Supreme Court as an Associate Justice and was confirmed by the Senate. He refused the nomination after his confirmation.

He was a known philanderer. A woman chaser. There is the story of the husband coming home early, Conkling going out the back window, the husband chasing him with a shotgun.

Conkling took care of his body. He worked out daily.

He was in his office on Wall Street when the Great Blizzard hit. He could not get a horse and carriage to take him home. Being in the excellent shape he was, he decided to walk. Three miles from Wall Street to 25th Street. He never made it home. He collapsed, came down with pneumonia and died.

He is buried in Utica. A simple yet massive stone. It sits on a little hill which runs along Oneida Street. The retaining wall holding the hill has been crumbling for years.

His stone faces west. Utica developed to the west. The cemetery to the east behind the stone. When Conkling was buried, he was placed in his grave as he was so that he could forever have an uninterrupted view of the valley before him. Progress decided otherwise and Utica developed in that area to the west, thereby placing his stone near a heavy traffic thoroughfare. Few take the time to look at the stone. Even fewer know Conkling is buried there.

I write about the blizzard and Conkling for a number of reasons. Today is the anniversary of the Great Blizzard. His career was outstanding. His stone and place of burial interesting.

I enjoy walking through cemeteries. The history of an area or the person is carved into the stones. What can be learned fascinating. I first came across Conkling’s stone and burial place on one of those walks many years ago.

Fantasy Fest seems to have survived its most recent onslaught. The Key West Commission and Fantasy Fest promoters met last night. Some minimal advertising changes were agreed to. Otherwise, everything will remain as it has been.

I agree with the outcome. My philosophy is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Spring break is upon us. The college kids appear well behaved. They seem to be having a great time.

I envy them. I neither knew of spring break nor could have afforded it had I known when I was in college.

My blog talk radio show last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Listeners appeared most interested in the letter sent to Iran by 47 Republican Senators.

I spoke of Nicholas Maduro. He is President of Venezuela. I have been talking about him for three years. The man is a nut case. He becomes more troublesome by the day. Troublesome as regards the United States. The man bears watching.

KONK Life hits the streets today. If you have a chance, read my column. Mass Killings Common. I wrote the article because of recent ISIS atrocities such beheadings and burning people alive.

Enjoy your day!

JOHN HERSHEY A PART OF KEY WEST HISTORY

Posted on by

Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams are generally thought of when Key West authors are discussed.  There is another big name. A person of note. John Hershey.

Hershey’s winter home was Key West. He led the good life. His summer home was Martha’s Vineyard.

Hershey is famous for many books. One is A Bell For Adano for which he won a Pulitzer Prize. I am ashamed to admit I never read the book. I did see the movie it was made into. John Hodiak starred.

Hershey died at age 78 in 1983 in Key West. He is buried on Martha’s Vineyard.

I wrote this week’s KONK Life column yesterday. It took the greater part of the day. Titled Mass Killings Common. The topic was motivated by recent ISIS killings. The column places special emphasis on beheadings.

It goes back to similar killings centuries prior to the birth of Christ and up to today and ISIS. The thrust is ISIS type killings are not uncommon. Men have been doing it to each other for centuries. The difference is the internet and social media which bring today’s killings visually to everyone’s attention.

The column is interesting. Many generally unknown events shared.

I spent the rest of my Sunday doing nothing. I hung around the house watching TV and reading. Occasionally falling asleep for short periods.

The Friends of the Key West Library series continues this evening at St. Paul’s. Novelist Mark Childress the speaker. Part of his talk is dedicated to learning how to write. I plan on attending.

My heart doctor this afternoon for a routine visit. He is going to tell me what a good boy I am for having lost more weight.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

BLOODY SUNDAY

Posted on by

This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the Selma march. The day of the first march (March 7) became known as Bloody Sunday. The march is being reenacted today.

We live in strange times. In a land that has become stranger. The civil rights battle was won 40-50 years ago. It’s back. Out of necessity. Whether by reason of hatred or for political purpose, Republicans are making it more difficult for blacks to vote.

The problem could be born of fear. The black/tan community is growing in numbers. In 20-30 years, more than half the population will be tan. Those of color will control. I suspect what is going on today is a last gasp for air for what has been, a last hurrah.

Syracuse, my Syracuse. The season a disaster. The past few days even more woe.

Syracuse played its last game of the season yesterday. The team was decidedly beaten by North Carolina State 71-57. the game was over the first 10 minutes of the second half. North Carolina State made Syracuse look bad in every respect.

I am not knocking the team. I merely make an observation.

Thursday, the NCAA report came out. I spoke of it in depth yesterday. I especially felt bad for Boeheim who I think was very unfairly treated.

Interestingly, Dick Vitale agreed with me in a statement made yesterday. This from a man who over the years rarely commented favorably re Syracuse or Boeheim. Not this time. He stated loud and clear that Boeheim got a raw deal.

Thank you, Dick Vitale.

When Boeheim was introduced before the game, he was “strongly” booed by the North Carolina State fans. Sportsmanship? These young people have yet to learn not to criticize till they have walked in another person’s shoes.

I watched the game from home. Immediately after, Sloan arrived. We spent a couple of hours working on this and that.

Last night was Tavern ‘n Town. My usual Saturday night haunt. Love Bobby Nesbitt!

Immediately upon arriving, I ran into June Hudson. I have been trying to reach her for two weeks. At least two unanswered e-mails out there. Whatever, we are getting together friday night.

June as vivacious and lovely as always. She has been a widow for two years. I admired and respected her husband Bill. A premier Delaware divorce attorney. He had a terrific sense of humor. The two made a great couple. I was lucky to have met and known them for more than 20 years.

Met two interesting people who were sitting next to me at the bar. Bill and Susan from North Carolina. Snowbirds. Own a home in Key West. Summers are spent on the North Carolina shore. They enjoy the best of both worlds. I hope to run into them again.

Let me take you to Israel, Italy, and Japan for a moment.

Netanyahu was well received last week by the Republicans. I thought his visit highly improper and irregular. He was received by Congress as a conquering hero. The same reception or better than MacArthur received.

He is back in Israel. He faces an election next week. The opposition sponsored an anti-Netanyahu rally in Tel Aviv. Thirty thousand showed up. Apparently Netanyahu is not as popular at home as he was before our Republican Congress.

Berlusconi back in the news in Italy. Love the man! He is never down and out.

He was convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to several years in jail. Italy by law does not incarcerate people over 70 or 72. Instead, they do house arrest. Berlusconi has done house arrest the past few years. His time has ended. He is as free as a bird.

He still faces resolution of charges involving a 17 year old girl.

A European meeting is scheduled soon in Milan. One of Berlusconi’s several homes is in Milan. Putin is expected at the conference. The two men are close friends and will probably spend some time together in serious conversation and partying. I do not use the term loosely. Six months ago when Putin was in Milan, they got together at Berlusconi’s home at 2:30 in the morning and spent a couple of hours together.

Japan. Perhaps we should all move there.

A 117 year old Japanese woman celebrated her birthday yesterday. She is still going strong. Apparently she has a sense of humor. When asked what she thought of her long life, she responded…..It seemed rather short!

Turns out Japan has 58,820 persons alive who are more than 100 years old. Interestingly, 90 percent are women. The 58,000 plus are more than in any other nation.

The water?

Enjoy your Sunday!

JIM BOEHEIM…..A CLASS ACT

Posted on by

I just read the shocking news. Shocking from my end. I speak for no other person in this regard.

I know Jim Boeheim. A good man. The penalties against him are an insult to him personally and to his illustrious career. So there is no misunderstanding, I am saying that the suspension and 108 games vacated unfairly impact him.

Boeheim was convicted (it is a conviction) per the NCAA rule requiring head coaches to be responsible for violations in a school’s program. In a nutshell, Syracuse failed to police itself with regard to sports activities. Under the rules, someone must bear responsibility. That person is the head coach. Boeheim in this instance.

Severe! Unreasonable! Impossible of compliance! If each division I school were scrutinized, each would be guilty of some infraction(s). Some minor. Miniscule. Is each head coach to be punished since he bears responsibility as head coach for any NCAA violations?

Boeheim is two seasons away from 1,000 career victories. The NCAA vacation of 108 Syracuse wins effectively makes reaching that goal impossible.

Additionally, holding Boeheim personally responsible as head coach is a non sensical approach to maintaining the integrity of the game. Someone has to pay is the cry. A head must fall. The head coach the victim.

Boeheim said that a “…..coach can’t be responsible for everything.” I agree with him.

There are two things which are part of the mix. The Syracuse investigation took eight years. Unheard of. Unprecedented. The other is that Syracuse self-reported itself when it became aware of certain violations.

The process has improperly penalized a stand up guy with a distinguished record. Boeheim is 70  years old. Concededly in the twilight of his career. A tough way to go out.

Paterno and Penn State were charged with far more serious offenses. Paterno was summarily executed. He died believing his life’s work was tarnished. Now, we find out that the Penn State wins vacated have been reinstated. It is further expected that Paterno’s statue will in the next year be returned to its place of prominence on campus.

Boeheim’s reputation has been placed in jeopardy by the foolish and unfair NCAA rule making the head coach responsible for all wrongdoing. I hope he sees the wrong done him rectified in this life rather than thereafter as in Paterno’s case.

CHILDREN AGAIN

Posted on by

Bocce last night! We were vanquished. Won 1, lost 2. To a better team. However, we gave them a fight in 2 of the games. In addition to which, we had a good time! Both teams.

The team record is now 9-3. The team that beat us 11-1. Not bad.

Bocce brings me to something I have known, for some reason forgot, and hit me again last night. While playing bocce and looking at the 50 other people playing. Key West is where adults become children again. Especially those in retirement. We regress back to the days of our youth.

Key West is bocce, golf, tennis, beach volleyball, hanging out in friendly bars and restaurants, making believe, costume dressing for the slightest reason, painting, writing, and daydreaming. Especially the daydreaming. Nothing like sitting under a palm tree on the beach with the vast expanse of the ocean in front and letting your mind go.

Everything that is done is done with the same zest and enjoyment as when one was young. Remember?

Dressing is also a regression. Shorts and a tee shirt. Even for the ladies, though I must admit that some days the ladies enjoy dressing a bit more. I love it when they wear long. Sultry and beautiful.

Diana Nyad two years ago swam from Havana to Key West. A first! She has since become an integral part of our community. She loves us and we love her.

Now comes Ben Hooper. His game plan is to swim from Africa to Brazil. A bit of a long trip. He is spending a month in Key West training. We have it all. Calm seas, rough seas, and sharks. He is training six days a week at the Community College lagoon.

He says the trip will take three months. He will be in and out of the water. Twelve hours a day in, the remainder in a boat. It is described as an assisted swim as opposed to the one Nyad accomplished. Of course, she only had to swim 90 miles rather than almost 2,000.

I admire Hooper. I also think he is crazy. What he is attempting is not my cup of tea.

I love Oreos. Who does not! I mention Oreos for two reasons. The first is that the cookie was introduced on this day in 1912. The second has to do with my diet.

I am now at 36 pounds lost. Stalemated again! Just as at 27 and 30 pounds.

My Louis conceived diet includes Oreos. For real! Not to pig out on. One to four a day. Some days not at all.

When I started  this diet, 20 pounds was my goal. I then extended it to 30. Now 40. I suspect I will continue to lose even after I reach 40 and end the formal diet. The reason simple. For the first time in my life, I believe I have truly changed my eating habits. We shall see.

My doctors are thrilled with my weight loss. The diet also when it has been explained to them.

If all works out, I may write a book titled The Key West Diet. Has to be a best seller!

I received a comment to this blog on WordPress today. From a Sharon in Oklahoma. I am not sure yet who she is. I suspect a love from long ago. It would be nice.

Enjoy your day!