WHORE HOUSE PIANO PLAYER OR POLITICIAN

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I enjoy writing about Harry Truman. Not only because of his connection with and love for Key West. His life in general. Truman was a no bullshit person. Straightforward and honest. He called them as he saw them.

I received an e-mail yesterday containing a Truman quote. I was familiar with the quote. It merits comment here.

“My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there is hardly any difference.”

The quote first came to my attention when I read David McCullough’s Truman. The biography was published in 1998. I did not get to read it till ten years ago.

The book another War and Peace. Long. One thousand plus pages. Took forever to read. Especially the way I read it.

Borders had a Key West book store location ten years ago. On Northern Boulevard. Where today sits a PET store. I used Borders as a library. The Key West library was adequate. However, parking terrible. Borders had a large parking lot.

Borders also had small comfortable black leather chairs. I sat and read Truman in one of those chairs. A couple of hours a day. It took forever to complete.

Spent yesterday afternoon fine tuning last night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Did the show at 9. A bit of everything. Sports, politics, life in general. Covered a multitude of sins.

One being a New York City problem. Taxi drivers and hired car drivers are making sexual comments to female passengers. And, ejaculating on them. The comments and ejaculations increased big time last year.

New York is working on a new local law to ban the sexual comments and ejaculations. Punishment, a $1,000 fine. I would throw them in jail!

Watched Wisconsin political dribble off and on during the day. It’s the political junkie in me.

I was pleased to see Trump and Hillary take a beating. Hopefully the losses will shape them up. Trump has to learn honesty. Hillary that truth is not to be twisted.

Dinner at Roostica.

Three weeks ago, forget getting a table. Not even get a seat at the bar. The season is over. The place was deserted last night. Pleasant!

I appreciate the small crowd does nothing for Bobby and his staff. However, it is nice once again to enjoy one of my favorite dining places.

Difficult sleeping last night. I turned on Turner Classics. A great two hour show. Not an old movie. The life of Gregory Peck. Gregory Peck casually moderating the show. A great man, a great show. An interesting life. Not typical Hollywood. A family man first. Then an actor who took his work seriously.

Enjoy your day!

VILLANOVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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One of the greatest Final Four basketball games last night. Villanova beating North Carolina 77-74.

The last 13.5 seconds everything! An off balance long 3 by North Carolina to tie the game. A 3 pointer attempt by Villanova with 4.7 seconds left. The ball scoring at the buzzer. Villanova the winner!

I stayed up late watching the game. Exciting!

Worked on tonight’s blog talk radio show yesterday afternoon. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Interesting topics. Starting of course with some Final Four basketball. Including my Syracuse.

Then a new Smell Dating website, this week’s KONK Life column re the failure of education in the U.S., the gentleman’s A, New York City taxi drivers ejaculating on passengers.

Also, Saudi Arabia to execute homosexuals, Trump and abortion, GMO labeling battle continues, millionaires leaving France in fear of Muslims, Austin now requiring kids’ lemonade stands to be licensed, etc., a hospice CEO telling nurses to hasten the deaths of patients, and more.

Join me at 9 tonight my time. Fast moving and exciting. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Began last night with an early repast at Martin’s Happy Hour. Brie, tuna, scallops, and stone crabs. Returned home ready to watch the game.

This morning’s Key West Citizen’s This Date in History carried three items worthy of mention.

The first concerns Katherine Harris. Florida Secretary of State during the Bush-Gore recount. She was born this date in 1957. I have always thought she did not play fair during the recount.

Key West Fire Chief Bum Farto was to appear in court this date in 1976 to be sentenced for drug dealing. He never showed up. Disappeared. Never to be seen again. A Jimmy Hoffa scenario?

Key West loves Harry Truman and Harry Truman loved Key West. On this date in 1969, Harry and Bess left Key West for the final time. Their last Key West vacation.

Enjoy your day!

A SUGARLOAF EVENING

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Sugarloaf is 15 miles up US 1. One of the prettiest residential keys. Lovely homes.

I enjoyed a Sugarloaf evening last night.

June has owned or rented a home in Sugarloaf for more than a quarter century. She invited me to join her for a Sugarloaf experience last night.

First stop was a visit with Ineke and Fritz. Originally from the Netherlands, they have been U.S. citizens for many years. They enjoy two homes. A yearly residence in Connecticut, a winter home in Sugarloaf.

Fritz is a retired airline pilot. Ineke paints. Her works sell. Their Sugarloaf home walls covered with her paintings. All fantastic! Especially the abstracts. Their home lovely.

After an hour of pleasant conversation, we all moved on to Peggy and Wayne’s for dinner. Neva and Jerry joined us.

Another lovely Sugarloaf home. Sugarloaf has its own distinctive flavor. The homes reflect that distinction.

This was my third time with Peggy and Wayne. A fun couple.

A first time meet for me with Neva and Jerry. They stood out. Radiantly. They met eight weeks ago and fell in love. That quickly. It was obvious. God was good.

It was an evening of good company, drink and food. Accompanied by non-stop laughter.

I spent a good part of yesterday morning into the early afternoon writing this week’s KONK Life column. When Education Fails, A Nation Fails. Title says it all.

Our educational system has been on a downward spiral for years. Other industrialized nations have moved ahead of us. My recollection is that the U.S. is #29 among the 66 industrialized nations. A sure bet for more nations to move ahead of us economically and socially over the next 20 years.

The Blue Angels were performing again yesterday at Boca Chica. I did not have to go to the airfield to see them. My bedroom terrace was sufficient. Every time I heard the roar approaching, I ran out.

Outstanding! Beyond outstanding!

A couple of years ago, I came across an article suggesting that Lincoln had a dream that he had been assassinated ten days before he actually was. I doubted the validity of the story. Let it pass without comment.

I have come across the same story twice the past few days. I did a little digging. It seems the story has legs. It is for real.

Lincoln’s dream involved a group of subdued mourners around a casket in the White House’s East Room. Lincoln asked a guard who had died. The response, the President who was killed by an assassin.

Lincoln was bothered by the dream. He mentioned it to a close friend whose name escapes me.

The dream occurred on this day in 1865.

The world gets crazier by the moment. New York City is apparently having a problem with taxi and hired car drivers. Passengers being subjected to sexual comments and acts.

The City is working on a proposal banning the drivers from flirting with passengers or ejaculating on them. Ejaculating? Yes, it has become a problem.

Key West is one human family. Homosexuals and straights live side by side. Work and socialize together. Sexual preference not an issue.

Not so everywhere.

Saudi Arabia a problem place. The same Saudis who claim to be our friends. Those thought to have helped finance 9/11. Seventeen of the 21 persons involved in 9/11 were citizens of Saudi Arabia. Less I forget, the same Saudi Arabia that gave us $4 a gallon gasoline.

Criminal prosecutors in Saudi Arabia are recommending an extreme sentence for those engaging in homosexual acts. The death penalty.

The Saudis blame Facebook and the social media for creating the homosexual problem. They actually believe Facebook and social media are turning people gay.

Enjoy your day!

$13

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There is an old proverb…..For want of a nail, the shoe was lost. Followed by the horse, rider, battle and Kingdom being lost.

Yesterday, for want of a $13 payment, my blog was lost.

The blog never appeared.

Last week, one of my credit cards was fraudulently used. The Fraud Bureau picked it up and cancelled the card. I have been using a temp since then awaiting my new card from the bank.

The card cancelled was the one I have used for years to pay a monthly $13 fee to GoDaddy. GoDaddy had the card number and took $13 out of the account each month.

GoDaddy is a domain builder, domain registrar, etc. I am not exactly sure what GoDaddy does. However, it is the beginning of this blog and the foundation/platform for everywhere the blog goes, how it gets there, etc.

GoDaddy shut my blog down because my card was no longer good. All for $13. Therein lies the reason no blog yesterday.

An entity and person died this past weekend. Both renown. Syracuse University and Tom Oosterhoudt.

Syracuse made the Final Four. Lost to North Carolina last night. Beat badly. I am not destroyed. Syracuse overachieved in the tournament. Boeheim and the team outdid themselves.

Whatever abilities carried Syracuse to this point in the tournament were absent last night. The pre tournament Syracuse team was on the floor.

Such is life. Again, I compliment the team and coach for having made it as far they did. Made an otherwise poor season a great season!

Tom Oosterhoudt a Key West icon and legend. Died early friday morning in a Miami hospital at age 65.

Tom a former City Commissioner and presently editor/publisher of Conch Color. Tom started Conch Color 11 years ago. He and his mother Mary Ann Worth own Casa Antigua on Simonton.

The Casa Antigua carries with it a piece of Key West history that Tom was proud of. Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway came to Key West by ship from Paris in 1928. The Casa Antigua then known as the Trev-Mor Hotel. Where Pelican Poop was located for years was the Trev-Mor Ford dealership. Hemingway had ordered a Ford to drive north from Key West.

The Ford had not arrived. Hemingway and his then wife were put up by the Trev-Mor people at the Trev-Mor Hotel. Two weeks later, the car arrived. By that time, Hemingway was sold on Key West. He did not leave till years later. He spent the next two years living at the Trev-Mor Hotel. Then bought his famous home on Whitehead Street.

While living at the Trev-Mor those two years, Hemingway finished A Farewell to Arms.

 

Last night was Tavern ‘n Town early with June. Had to be home before 9 to watch the Syracuse game. Bobby Nesbitt entertaining. Ran into Harrell Odom and Barry Cook from Nashville. Snowbirds. Harrell a heart doctor. I met Harrell several years ago at a dinner party at Donna Barnett’s.

Research complete for this week’s KONK Life column. Writing the column next. Will do it this afternoon. Not sure of the title yet. The column has to do with he failure of America’s educational system. Education being something more of us should pay attention to rather than merely giving lip service.

Temperature 88 yesterday. A one day cold spell upon us. High today only 78. I hope you find amusing my representation re the drop in temperature.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS’ DAY

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It comes around every year without fail. April Fools’ Day. A fun time for many. Much joking around. Each of us will probably experience a small part of it today.

As usual, the Key West Citizen has outdone itself with its special April Fools’ Day publication. Unbelievable. It had to take a week or more to put together.

I recall the first time I read a Citizen’s April Fools’ Day publication. Some 25 years ago. My first April Fools’ Day in Key West.

Read the Citizen over breakfast. The main story was that the City Commission had banned smoking on sidewalks and beaches. Absurd, I thought. Stupid. They can’t do that.

I expressed my feelings to my then wife. She knew about the Citizen’s special April Fools’ Day edition.

She laughed. I laughed. If it was gotcha, I had been got.

Visited with my heart doctor yesterday. Dr. McIvor. I walked into his office and he hit me with something to the effect he should not talk with me. I figured it had to do with my stress test results. My heart dropped. He laughed.

The good Doctor is a Virginia graduate. I forgot he was a Virginia grad. He was referring to Syracuse beating Virginia last weekend. An interesting discussion unfolded. My stress test results forgotten by both of us.

Test results ok. I am going to live. He could not tell me the cause of the two pain hits I experienced in one day. I was advised not to be concerned.

My blood pressure better. Not where we both want it. Half way home at this point.

June and I had dinner last night at Michael’s with Wayne and Peggy. A couple I met last week. Fun people. A good time.

Michael and Suzette were glad to see me back. Twice in a week!

This week’s KONK life column Ma, Ma, Where’s My Pa? hit the stands wednesday. It was carried in today’s E-Blast News. Also linked this morning to my Key West Lou website. .keywestlou.com.

Two visitors of world wide fame arrived in Key West this past weekend.

The Blue Angels who will be performing this weekend. The Blue Angels announced their arrival yesterday by flying low the length Duval.

The Budweiser Clydesdales visited schools and trotted proudly up Duval.

Everyone does Duval!

Conch Color’s Tom Oosterhoudt in a Miami hospital again. Not good. A prayer in oder.

Some crazy things going on in the outside world. Not unusual.

A petition bearing 50,000 plus signatures was delivered to the Republican National Committee. The signers requested that delegates and visitors to the National Convention be permitted to bear arms. Pistols.

A shoot out guaranteed if permission is granted. Gun fight at Ok Corral time.

Guns in the news a second time.

The Mississippi Senate passed a bill permitting churches to form militias. Members would be permitted to bring guns to services. The bill further provided that a killing at a church or place of worship would be considered justifiable homicide.

A big night tomorrow! Syracuse/North Carolina in the Final Four. North Carolina a 9.5 point favorite.

I am pleased with Syracuse’s performance thus far. The team has overachieved. At this point, I do not care whether Syracuse wins or loses. Not true, really. I do care.

What will be will be.

Weatherwise, it looks great outside. However, the wind is blowing from the south. Generally means a storm some time during the day. Not always. Most of the time.

Enjoy your day!

 

PET PIG WINS

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Only in Key West.

Most communities have local laws prohibiting the keeping of certain animals. Pigs, for example. Apparently, Key West does not.

A Key West resident keeps a pig as a pet. A neighbor complained re the stench. Codes sent an investigator three times. No stench.

A Key West Code Magistrate ruled the woman could keep the pig as a pet.

A late morning visit to the bank yesterday. Then lunch at the Waterfront Restaurant. A winner! Food continues to be good. A fantastic view.

My only concern is whether the place can make it. The rent has to be astronomical! Key West high!

A pleasant evening at Tavern ‘n Town. June and I had dinner with the Greenbergs. Linda and Fred. Great conversation! We chatted so long we were one of the last tables to leave.

The Greenbergs have or soon will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. To be respected. Congratulations!

Trump stuck his foot in his mouth last night. Chris Matthews got him good on the question whether the woman in an abortion should be punished. Trump’s TV response to the effect such a woman should be punished.

Not surprising. Trump continues to exhibit his lack of respect for the female gender.

Trump sent two messages out after the viewing. He backed off the statement. His final position was the doctor and others performing the abortion should be punished. Not the woman.

Claire Bernish’s article on Blacklisted News yesterday concerning the military industrial complex pointed. Speaks truths. Beware of corporate interests, especially as regards the military. The article states war is a racket. Exists for corporate interests. Are waged for profit. The U.S. today the war merchant of the world.

Recall Eisenhower’s words…..Beware of the military industrial complex.

I read somewhere yesterday that there are four million adult websites on the internet. The adult websites get more traffic than Netflix, Amazon and Twitter combined.

This week’s KONK Life on the stands. Check out my column Ma, Ma, Where’s My Pa? Dirty politics in the 1884 Presidential campaign between Grover Cleveland and James Blaine.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

MY HEART WAS SLEEPING

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My stress test was yesterday morning at 11:30. I gave up on the treadmill for the test years ago. Too much work. Went to the nuclear test. Easy. The last two have been dobutamine.

For the dobutamine test, I am lying down. Hooked up to everything. The dobutamine dripping into my arm.

The test took unusually long. The dobutamine is supposed to get my heart rate up to 120. Started at 60. Stayed at 60 a long time. I could sense a concern that it was not going up. They gave me a shot of something else. Still no progress.

I kept hearing from those working on me that my heart was still sleeping. Another way of saying I was not moving much off the 60.

A doctor was called in. Now, I was concerned! I could hear the discussion. Do we stop and have him return another time? Do not want to give him more of whatever?

My heart must have heard the discussion. It woke. Started moving.

Rest of test normal.

The after effect, a first. I was exhausted! Dead tired! Wow! Made it to home and bed. Slept for three hours. Felt better afterwards.

I will be informed of the test findings tomorrow.

The test was the result of my having chest pains two weeks ago and on the same day. I took nitroglycerin each time. The pain went away each time. Not a good sign. If pain disappears, means you are probably experiencing a heart problem.

I slept through the time I was supposed to be rewriting and refining the material for my blog talk radio show in the evening. I winged it. The show went the same as if I had spent that extra hour working the material over.

Enjoyed a light dinner at Roostica.

The Presidential primary races suck. Need issues and not personal clashes.

Our country has had similar campaign wars in years past. Today is nothing new. Except may be exaggerated more.

I spoke last night about the Presidential election of 1832. Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay. Hot! They ended up hating each other. Jackson won. Clay returned to the U.S. Senate.

The Senate was investigating some matter. They wanted documents in Jackson’s possession turned over to the Senate. Jackson refused.

Clay figured he had Jackson! He got the Senate to censure Jackson. The Senate did not have the power. Jackson  ignored the censure.

Jackson was a proud man. He took the censure attack personally. When Jackson left office, he said his only regret was he had not shot Clay.

Last summer, I met Frances Watson Clark at the Chart Room. We spent a long time chatting. She wanted to write a book about Key West. She wrote it and recently sent me a copy. Title: Images of Modern America – Key West.

The book is a series of photos taken over the years. Not in sequence. Each with a brief history beneath the photo. Her work in actuality a novel. Not merely a bunch of pictures. The wording below each photo a piece of Key West’s yesterday.

I recommend the book. sales@arcadiapublishing.com.

The book has the usual Acknowledgements section. Frances mentioned me in the Acknowledgements. A first for me. She wrote, “A chance encounter at the Chart Room granted me the fortune of meeting Joe Petrone, a columnist for KONK Life and blogger extraordinaire…..”

I know. She got my first name wrong. Nevertheless, I appreciate the mention.

Joe Liszka died in October. I wrote about him at the time. A Key West luminary.

At 5 o’clock today, a Celebration of Life will be held at Tennessee Williams. The theatre was needed because of the anticipated crowd. In addition to all his accomplishments, Joe Liszka was loved.

Today is hump day and screw off day. Hump day we know. Screw off is because today is my friday. I work through the weekend. The weekend being my busiest time. Wednesday, thursday and friday are mine. Nothing to do, except write this/my blog.

Screw off has already begun. I remained in bed till after 7.

Enjoy your day!

YESTERDAY…..BUSY

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On the move yesterday. A lot of it fun.

My morning trip was bland. The bank and Walgreens.

The afternoon picked up. I researched for tonight’s blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I enjoy researching.

I will open with the Syracuse victory. Worthy of recognition and mention. Followed by Andrew Jackson’s censure spearheaded by Henry Clay, sexual atrocities by police officers, those vying to buy the Presidency, Hawaii seriously considering decriminalizing all drugs.

Followed by Bernie Sanders three big State wins, $15 an hour now law in California, Smell Dating, a strange result in the legal system, this week’s KONK Life column Ma, Ma, Where’s My Pa?, and California’s lead problem.

Then a nap. I was tired after researching.

Last night, I was truly out on the street.

First, Aqua. Monday from 5-7, the bartenders sing. Last night it was Tom Luna and Rick. Luna was the star of Producers that I saw saturday night. Rick’s stage name is Goddess. Goddess is a drag star.

Tom and Rick sang Unforgettable reworded. Substituted Homosexual for Unforgettable. Funny.

David showed up. Always glad to see David. He was into the singing. Sort of a group karaoke situation. David knew all the old songs. I knew very few. I stumbled through some, however.

Michael and Kathy showed up. Michael was a bocce partner several years ago. He also owned Peppers with Tom Luna. Michael and Kathy left Key West. They now live in San Antonio del Mar, Mexico. On Baha beach.

I was out for the evening with June. Her friend Candy Cane came over. The girls chatted away.

Mary took care of my Key West home for five years. A jack of all trades. She was at the bar. I had not seen her in years. It was her 50th birthday. She still looks 21. Enjoyed being with her again.

It was time to eat. Antonia’s at the bar. Yes, I am back.

A change in the menu. A big one. Antonia’s of old featured northern Italian cooking. Means oil, not sauce. I enjoyed a linguine dish. Sauce, not oil. Antonia’s has switched to southern Italian cooking.

The night was not yet over. It was on to the Little Room Jazz Club to hear Larry Smith. Pepe on the drums. Alex on the horn. Melody Cooper singing.

Larry is one of Key West’s premier entertainers. Catch his show. Time spent with Larry always pleasurable.

As we were leaving, one of th spectators asked for my blog address. I apologize that I have forgotten his name. If he is reading today’s blog, I ask he e-mail his address. He is in Key West for two months. I would like to get to know him better.

An interesting article in this morning’s Key West Citizen. A public private group will receive $75 million in State money next year. They have received money in the past. Big dollars.

The group’s function is to boost tourism in the Florida keys. They are doing well. Claim 100 million visitors in 2015.

A good chunk of the money is to provide paid trips to Chinese and other foreign journalists. They also have what has been described as secret contracts with celebrities.

Though tax dollars are involved, the organization is not audited and its agreements with celebrities secret. Scrutiny required. None exists.

Later this morning, a stress test scheduled. I am nervous. I always get nervous when I have to take a stress test.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

SYRACUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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God is good.

Syracuse defeated Virginia last night for the right to go to the Final Four.

One of the best Syracuse games ever. Syracuse won 68-62 after being down big time.

Syracuse distinguished itself with defensive play in the last two minutes of the Gonzaga game, also.

Boeheim once again exhibited his basketball genius when he went into a full court press last night. I thought it would not work. It did!

The team consists of players who would not give up. Defeat not part of their mind set.

Gbinije was interviewed following the Gonzaga game. He was asked how did Syracuse start playing as it did. Gbinije responded something to the effect…..They told us we did not belong.

I was a skeptic. I said several times we were lucky to have made the tournament…..Syracuse did not belong. Note that I have refused to set forth any comments during the tournament that Syracuse would win a particular game.

I should be ashamed.

I am happy for Boeheim and the team. Especially, Boeheim. He deserves what is happening after the beating the NCAA gave him.

Screw them all, Jim! Go for it! Only two games remaining!

HAPPY EASTER

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An early morning greeting this Easter holiday. Happy Easter!

A religious day. We forget. More than the Easter bunny and baskets.

This day one of additional significance. The Elite Eight. Winners today go on to the Final Four.

Syracuse plays Virginia at tonight. Big game! Virginia a #1 seed. Syracuse a #10. Virginia an 8.5 point favorite.

We shall see. I make no predictions. I am thrilled for Coach Boeheim and the team.

Go ‘Cuse!

Got out yesterday afternoon to pick up some Easter gifts for Robert and Ally. I have to be at Lisa’s at 9 this morning for an Easter egg hunt.

Spent the afternoon completing research for this week’s KONK Life column Ma, Ma, Where’s My Pa? I will write the article this afternoon.

Last night a late one! Well after midnight. Two nights in a row I have been up that late.

Started the evening with an early dinner at Hot Tin Roof. I was not hungry. Desired something different. It was. Lobster mac and cheese.

Then to the Waterfront Playhouse for the final night of Producers. The finest theatrical production seen by me in all my years in Key West. Outstanding! Perfection! The show pure joy.

An after show party at Bunny Smith’s.

I have to move my butt to get to Lisa’s on time.

A final thought first. Will there continue to be joy in Mudville?

Enjoy the Easter holiday!