DANCE CARD FULL

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Generally, I many times have no idea of what I am going to do. Today, I know exactly into the evening.

I slept late. It is 10ish and I am just starting the blog. Then research for this week’s KONK Life column. About bees. Bees in warfare. Titled: To Bee or Not To Bee. Love the title!

Bocce. Playoffs today. My team ended up third. All alone. Without playing thursday night. Rained out. Six teams tied for third. One, us. We had beat the other five earlier in the season. Gave us third place alone.

The team plays at 3. I will be there to cheer them on. Spoke with Don yesterday. We are playing monday’s #1 team. Tough!

When the game is over, we will all head to Don’s Place. Win or lose. For the Preakness.

Not done yet.

After Don’s, going to a birthday party. At the Firehouse Museum on Grinnell. One block from Don’s place. The mamey tree 102nd birthday party.

The mamey tree in question lives on the Firehouse Museum property.

What is a mamey tree? I did not know till this morning. A tree common to Central and South America. Some in Florida and rest of U.S. Grows 60-70 feet tall. Bears different colored fruit in the shape of a football.

The father of all mamey trees in the U.S. is the one planted at the Firehouse Museum. DNA substantiated.

The fruit is made into ice cream, milk shakes and smoothies. I will try the ice cream tonight for the first time.

The party is 6-8 pm.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Jenny encouraged me to move on. I increased the speed. Though not by much.

I am a creature of habit, as mentioned many times. Which means I ended up at the Cuban Coffee Queen again for lunch. Cuban cheese toast and Cuban coffee. Plus, the newspapers. I sat an hour or two reading.

Then home. Early afternoon. Tired. The increased speed on the treadmill? Not sure. Whatever, I took a two hour nap.

Last night, a premier event. Dinner with Jenna at Michael’s. Jenna and I had not seen each other in three months. It was catch up time.

I mentioned in yesterday’s blog that the Oklahoma Senate had this week passed a bill making abortion a felony. A felony for the doctor performing the abortion. It reached the Governor yesterday. The governor vetoed the bill.

Words of wisdom from Aristotle: “There is only one way to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.”

Trump will never avoid criticism.

Enjoy your day!

 

NILE CROCODILES

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There was a time when no one contemplated Burmese pythons would be living in South Florida. And in such large numbers! Hundreds of thousands, if not millions.

Experts say the Burmese python will never be eradicated. It can only be contained/controlled. The situation was already out of hand when experts realized the Burmese pythons had made a home here.

Now comes the Nile crocodile. As with the Burmese python, not native to South Florida or anywhere in the Americas. The Nile crocodile has become an invasive species also.

Nile crocodiles comes from Africa. Impossible to swim the Atlantic! No one knows how they got here.

So far, only three have been discovered. Two males and a female. That is how the pythons started. Big trees from little acorns grow.

The crocodiles discovered so far have been found in the Everglades. The males run big. Around 16 feet and weigh 1,600 pounds.

The concern is that Nile crocodiles are man eaters.

My yesterday began with Tammy. Always pleasant to be with her. A manicure and small talk.

Then a heavy lunch at 5 Guys. A cheeseburger and fries.

Stopped at Walgreens. Prescriptions to pick up.

Sometimes either the drug store or the insurance company screw up. Yesterday was one of those days. I am not sure who the guilty party was.

I take Nexium twice a day. Bad acid reflex for years. Cost per month $36. With insurance. Yesterday, I was handed the generic. Same price. $36. I questioned the situation. I was told I could have either. Same price. No one understood who was responsible for the screw up.

I return to Walgreens today to pick up the Nexium.

Ran into Joseph from Hot Tin Roof. His bad back worse. He was using a walker. Surgery on his back scheduled for next wednesday.

Then to Publix. Everything screwed up. Product locations moved. Not just a few feet. Aisles away. Confusing.

I was not the only one complaining. I could hear the mumblings in every aisle.

Between the Walgreens problem and Publix, I fear I am beginning to sound like a cranky senior.

Shot down to Farmers Market. Before 1. Only six tents. It had rained heavy early morning.

I went to buy three items. Mel’s rum cake, honey and Greek bread. No one selling those items. Next week, hopefully.

Bocce called off last night. The heavy morning rains left the courts flooded.

I did not go out in the evening. I filled in the bocce absence with some pleasure reading. World War II stories. Narratives by those in the fight.

This week’s KONK Life column a winner! Read it. Very interesting. An eye opener. The column: Heroin Will Survive New Drug Bill.

The column appears in this morning’s E-Blast. Also archived this morning to my Key West Lou website. .keywestlou.com.

One thing  about our country is that people never give up. We are fighting abortion 50 years after it became legal. We will be fighting same sex marriage 50 years from now.

A perfect example is what happened in the Oklahoma Senate this week. The State Senate passed a bill making abortion a felony.

Enjoy your day!

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!

 

ZIKA DAY

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Spent a portion of yesterday fine tuning last night’s blog talk radio show.

Then dinner at Roostica.

Followed by show time at 9. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Topics for the show come from two sources. One is research. The other sitting back and saying to myself that an issue has reached a certain point. A point requiring comment. No one is commenting, however.

I was reading some Zika material yesterday. The thought occurred as to whether Zika was another Ebola. Three years ago, we were introduced to a new and deadly disease called Ebola. The world went crazy. There was a need to act immediately.

The world reacted. Even Obama and Congress. Money was allocated to develop a vaccine, etc.

Ebola turned out to be a bust. Nothing happened. A false alarm.

This morning while searching another issue, I came across an article titled Birth of the Zika Industry. The author, Marco Caceres. The article published by the National Vaccine Information Center 5/14/16.

The National Vaccine Information Center is a non-profit. Founded in 1982 by parents who believe they should have information, input and decision making when it comes to their children being vaccinated.

A quote from the article: “It doesn’t take much to create a new industry. Basically, all you need to do is create fear.”

Zika is a major forefront issue here in the Florida keys. Especially my small key, Key Haven. The local mosquito control board decided to test anti-Zika genetically modified mosquitoes. New.

The plan involved dumping 3 million genetically modified mosquitoes over Key Haven

Key Haven residents raised hell. Properly so. The board finally decided to have the residents of Key Haven vote on the issue. The vote August 30.

This morning’s Key West Citizen notes front page that the board met last night. The board added another question to the Key Haven one. To be voted on also August 30. In effect, whether the people of the Florida keys want GM mosquitoes tested anywhere in the keys.

My first reaction was this sucks. Going to confuse people. Typical keys’ government actions. Screw things up.

On second thought, I think it is a good idea. The reason is every one I have talked who live on Key Haven says no to the testing. Anyone in Key West or another key, say yes to the testing. The testing over Key Haven. Zika dangerous and we have to act their thought.

When I ask whether they would accept similar testing over Key West or their island, the eyebrows go up. I can see the answer without it being uttered. Of course not!

I do not wish to be a guinea pig. My position remains the same. Stay off my island! And being more concerned than other keys’ residents, I say do not use any part of the Florida keys for testing.

One final thought. This GM mosquito thing is turning into another Peary Court fiasco. Government officials trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the people.

Bernie Sanders. Nice guy. Sincere re his beliefs. Enough is enough, however. He should pack it in. He is the loser in a close one.

He ain’t packing it in!

Sanders has started a movement. A big one. They believe in him. The problem is he believes what he says. His political bullshit. Something all candidates become guilty of.

I fear Sanders will never be the same.

I further fear the two movements which have developed during this primary process. Those that follow Sanders and those that follow Trump. I hope they never meet on opposite sides of the street during a protest.

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!

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERT!

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Grandson Robert was 12 years old yesterday. God bless!

The celebration might not have been. Robert was born with cancer of the liver. The tumor was larger than his liver. He had two major operations in the first eight days of his life.

God was good!

Lisa cooked a Happy Birthday sunday dinner and a birthday cake. The meal outstanding! As to the cake, very little left. Robert had a sleep over the night before. The guys pretty much devoured the cake.

Ally’s birthday is in two weeks. Yesterday, she looked beat up. Had a bad stomach bug the day before.

Summer vacation around the corner. We talked about what they will be doing. One thing will be Seacamp on Big Pine. An educational sea camp. The kids are excited.

Spent yesterday writing this week’s KONK Life column. Heroin Will Survive New Drug Bill. It is a followup to my article three weeks ago Afghanistan and America’s Heroin Addiction.

The new column hits the stands wednesday.

The first heroin column appears on E-Blast this morning.

My picture on E-blast took me back for a moment. I have not seen it in years. It was taken during my first Greece trip five years ago. I am sitting at a table at my favorite restaurant writing my blog. The bearded Louis.

Stone crab season ended yesterday. A good season. Stone crabs galore. I enjoyed every one I ate. To me, the best of foods. I always say if I knew my meal was to be my last one, I would order stone crabs.

Movie star Roy Scheider had a home in Key West. Scheider of Jaws and French Connection fame. Puchased 630 Dey Street in March 1982. His winter home.

Everyone does everything in Key West.  Scheider was a regular at Camille’s when it was on Duval. He was frequently seen at the breakfast bar chain smoking.

Fausto’s is celebrating its 90th birthday. Its main store today on Fleming, just off Duval. A family business. Quality foods. Surprising however that it has lasted so long. Means whatever they sell has to be good.

I am anti-Trump. No question. I may even be anti-Clinton. I may not even vote.

That being said, the New York Times on saturday did a number on Trump. An unfair one. Front page. The article’s thrust was how Trump behaved with women.

The article should never have been written. It lacked substance. All it proved is Trump can occasionally be an asshole with his mouth.

Trump deserves an apology.

Enjoy your day!

RUM CAKE

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Last night pleasant. Made new friends and saw old friends at Tavern ‘n Town.

Allen and Mel. Sitting to my right. Live on Cudjoe Key. Interesting backgrounds. Allen retired from the U.S. Navy. Mel the rum cake lady.

Mel owns and operates a business that makes rum cakes. Flavors galore. The Conch Republic Rum Cake Company.

I could tell from Mel’s comments that her rum cakes are popular. I am ashamed to say I never have tried one.

One of the places where sold is the Farmers Market at Bayview Park. Thursdays at noon. I am a frequent visitor. To buy Greek bread and honey. I ignore the other tents. No more. Next thursday, I will be at Farmers Market searching for Mel. I am anxious to taste her rum cakes.

Seated to my left, another great couple. Marybeth and Jose. Visitors from Port Lee, NJ. On second thought, more than visitors. Snowbirds a more apt description.

Marybeth and Jose were married in Key West 15 years ago, Have returned many times since. They were married at the Hemingway House. Recalled the officiate who married them. Linda Mendez.

Marybeth is self-employed. As a retail and marketing consultant. She gave me some tips re further blog exposure. Jose is engaged by a clinical laboratory.

We are having dinner together tomorrow night.

Ran into two old friends. Melissa and Madeline. Hugs and kisses. Melissa is the Executive Director of the Mel Fisher Museum. Madeline the former Executive Director. Both ladies have provided superior leadership to the Museum.

Three weeks ago, my KONK Life column was Afghanistan and America’s Heroin Addiction. I feel like a voice in the wilderness finally heard. One of my complaints was the U.S. government and media’s failure to pay attention to the country’s worst drug addiction problem ever.

Congress finally came out with a bill  to address the problem last week. More than heroin. A multitude of drug problems. It is expected Obama will sign the bill when it reaches him.

The bill as proposed sucks. It does not go far enough. Not even close. Instead of eradicating the problem at its source, it band aids it here at home. The story line the same as our lack of success with the marijuana and cocaine problems over the years.

Ergo, my column this week will involve the failure of the government to properly address the heroin problem. My comments will be right on.

I spent yesterday afternoon completing the research. I will write the column this afternoon. It hits the stands wednesday.

I read an informative yet depressing article in yesterday’s
Wall Street Journal concerning art. My favorite works are by the impressionists and modern artists.

The major auction houses had sales this past week. Paintings by relatively unknown artists drew the biggest bucks. Art lovers gambling for bigger bucks in the future.

There was significantly less interest in impressionistic and modern works. The sales figures in those two areas were described as “…..limp to lackluster.”

Today a big day in grandson Robert’s life. He is 11 years old. Happy birthday Robert! Poppa loves you.

We do the cake and happy birthday singing following dinner tonight.

Enjoy your Sunday!

FLORIDA WEEKLY…..Key West Edition

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An enjoyable time at Sq. 1 last night. The company!

I was seated at the corner of the bar sipping a gin and reading the newspapers. All of a sudden, they came in. Five of them. Four women and one man. Lively and interesting.

I could not help overhearing their conversation. Felt sorry for the man. A tough night with four ladies.

The conversation that caught my attention was one re botex, eye lifts, and other facial corrections/updates. The two women really into it surprised me. Claiming they had to do something. Neither needs now nor will need facial work for at least 20 years.

Female vanity.

Let me introduce you. The gentleman, Louis Spelios. Anyone with the name Louis has to be a good guy. He was. Once a dentist in Miami, now a retired dentist in Key West working two days a week. A golfer. Plays every wednesday morning. His group follows Don Manaher’s. A story unto itself.

Louis’ wife was Jenna. One of the two beauties discussing facial work.

Jenn was another one of those who thought she needed help. No way! Her name, Jenn Doll. Jenn is the Publisher of the Key West edition of Family Weekly. A new paper on the island. Only six weeks old.

I was given a copy. Read it later at home. A winner! Great articles. Excellent writers. Tons of colorful advertising. Perfect layout.

The remaining two ladies Dawn and Marsha. Can’t say anything about them. Jenna, Jenn and the two Louis’ monopolized the conversation.

I enjoyed their company. Had a good time. Would enjoy running into them again.

Walked over to La Te Da for dinner at the outside bar. I wanted crispy duck.

As good as the company was at Sq. 1, it sucked at La Te Da. Two women sat next to me. Fortyish. One a snowbird. Has owned a Key West home 12 years. The other her house guest.

Both know it alls! Pains in the ass! I could not wait till dinner was done and I could leave.

Fantasy Fest is a specified adult event. There is now another in Key West. Kamp Key West. Two years old. A summer camp for adults. The purpose is to get people in touch with their inner child.

Ongoing this week. Water sports, dances, bar hopping, etc. Sounds clean in comparison to Fantasy Fest. Different strokes for different folks.

The Kamp ends sunday with La Te Da’s Tea Dance and Drag Bingo at 801.

This morning’s Key West Citizen noted that on this day in 1940, Thelma Strabel took out a building permit to construct a house at 400 South Street. The home when constructed was considered the southernmost point in the United States.

I wrote an article about Strabel three years ago. She authored Reap the Wild Wind. Made into a movie starring John Wayne. Serialized in the Saturday Evening Post.

Strabel used her earnings from the Saturday Evening Post to build the house.

The house is long gone. Someone tore it down to build a larger one.

Saturday. Tonight, I will be at the bar at Tavern ‘n Town. Bobby Nesbitt time.

Enjoy your day!

FRIDAY THE 13th

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Friday the 13th. A good day to stay in bed!

The day is the most superstitious day of the year. An ill omen permeates the day. An unlucky 24 hours. So it is believed.

Why friday the 13th? Two reasons. Jesus died on a friday. Thirteen persons had dinner at the Last Supper the night before.

So feared, during the Middle Ages no weddings were held on the day. Nor did many begin a journey.

Americans paid no attention to friday the 13th till the early 1900’s. In 1907, Thomas W. Lawson wrote a popular novel. Friday The Thirteenth. The boom disseminated the superstition big time.

Not all nations pay attention to the day as a superstitious one. Spain, Greece and Italy do with a variation or two.

Spain and Greece fear tuesday the 13th. Not friday. Italians, friday the 17th. Italians consider the 13th a lucky day.

Paraskeoidekatriaphobia. Big word. Too big even for the national spelling bee. It is the official name for fear of friday the 13th. Of Greek derivation.

A wonderful day yesterday!

As one gets older, the body becomes a garden. Things grow. Different shapes and sizes. Different colors. Some could become dangerous if not removed. All must be removed. The growths cannot be tested unless removed and sent to a lab.

My growth factor  is substantial. Yesterday, I had 28 removed. All on my face and head. They didn’t look bad till the doctor started snipping away. I looked beautiful afterwards. Ugh! Will continue to look beautiful for a week. It will take that long for the wounds to clear up.

Under the circumstances, I did not go out last night. A lot of oozing. Tonight, I will be out and about. All 28 spots covered with Vaseline. No one will love me.

My home town Utica, NY experienced an early summer yesterday. The temperature hit 80.  A cold wave coming in. It will arrive in the next few days. Probably down into the 50’s.

Sex perversity knows no bounds. We know it goes on. Sometimes however we are shocked where it is discovered/exists.

A part time Arkansas judge for 30 years recently resigned his judgeship. Following investigation. He was giving reduced sentences to young men in exchange for sexual favors. Generally done at his home. He liked to take suggestive photos. There are thousands of them. Sometimes, he paid the boys. By check. Investigators have the checks.

The judge even did it one time in open court. He had the boy show his back end. The judge photographed  him. Then dismissed the case against the boy.

I cannot understand why it took 30 years to discover what the judge was doing. Where were court staff and attorneys? Many had to be aware and said nothing.

This blog is carried on a dozen different sites. A new one was just added. Tumblr. The blog can be found at .keywestlou.tumblr.com/

I am not suggesting you change the site you are presently using. I merely wanted to reflect the growing nature of the blog.

Enjoy your day!

 

AQUA / MICHAEL’S LAST NIGHT

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Aqua and Michael’s last night.

Stopped at Aqua first. Intended to spend time with Mark at the outside Back Bar. David was sitting at the inside bar. Stopped and chatted with him a while.

Then to the Back Bar. Mark always good company.

Where to eat? Decided on Michael’s.

A fair crowd for off season. I was disappointed Suzette was not bartending. I was also looking for Kim who I had met two weeks earlier at Tavern ‘n Town. Kim’s night off also apparently.

Tried the beef boneless ribs. Good. A bone sticking meal. Though no bones. The meat off the ribs buried in a good tasting sauce covering mashed potatoes and some other vegetables.

I have been thinking of getting off gin after 40 years. Wine has been in my mind. I have never been crazy about wine.

The daily special menu showed a special red. The name I do not recall. The composition on the menu took several lines to describe. All kinds of fruit tastes. I ordered a glass. My discerning tongue tasted no fruit.

I was bored at Michael’s bar. Never got a conversation going with anyone. Unusual in Key West to fail to becoming engaged in conversation at a bar.

My yesterday started with the anti-gravity treadmill. Went well. Still going at a slow speed and half time.

I was hungry at lunch hour. Opted for a cheeseburger and fries at 5 Guys.

The afternoon was spent reading and napping. Napping always the best time of the day.

Received two interesting communications yesterday.

Anna telephoned from Milan. All excited. Told me Italy had just passed same sex marriage. While we were talking, I went online to see the story. Anna did not have it quite correct.

Italy approved same sex civil unions. Everything short off same sex marriage. I was not surprised. What did surprise me was that Italy even went as far as it did in approving civil unions. The Catholic Church in Italy has a strong influence regarding same sex anything.

Nevertheless, the approval of civil unions an historical event.

Argos e-mailed me from Athens. I have never met nor communicated with Argos. However, he advised he has been reading my blog since my first Greece trip several years ago.

I have never addressed how Greek’s economic crisis has affected medial care. Argos brought the situation to my attention.

Things are bad! Don’t get sick! Especially seriously ill. Something like cancer.

Government medical plans are paying nothing or close to nothing. Government employees no longer working have no insurance plans.

Hospitals are short in every area. Painkillers and scissors in short supply. Bring your own blankets and sheets when entering a hospital. Cancer operations delayed four months or longer. Regardless of seriousness of the cancer. Many die before time for the operation arrives.

Five thousand doctors and 15,000 nurses have left Greece because they cannot get paid.

If no insurance, the person is put on a waiting list. Months to wait for hospital admission. If one wants surgery earlier, a bribe is required.

I never gave thought to this area of Greek life. Horrible!

Trump/Ryan meeting this morning. I am anxious to listen to the post meeting comments by both. I am a political junkie at heart.

Hillary has to start hitting back. At least through a surrogate. Trump’s charges are building up. Hillary’s quaint smile is not sufficient response.

My Syracuse University is screwed up athletically. Everything seems to go wrong.

Mike Doyle was hired less than a year ago to be Athletic director. Was on the job 310 days. He is taking the AD job at the University of Minnesota.

I blame central administration for the athletic department’s problems. SU is run like a major corporation. Decisions are made by the higher ups and those below are compelled to accept already made decisions.

One example. Boeheim never knew Syracuse was going to the ACC till after it was a fait accompli.

Read a recent article that said municipalities have received $2 billion in surplus military equipment over the past 10 years. State of Florida the most. $300 million.

We all have a general knowledge of that which makes up the military equipment. One item surprised me, however. Bayonets. 5, 638 of them. To use against demonstrators?

Enjoy your day!