I AM OK

Posted on by

There is a saying that events occur in threes. I hope I have had my threes re health concerns.

The past several weeks have had their downside. First, my falling and balance problems. Then diverticulitis. Yesterday morning, surprise minor surgery.

Lord, I give up! No more please!

I am fine today. So far.

I will be 80 years old in 33 days. Yesterday morning, I was wondering if I will make it.

Time and energy prevented me doing the blog yesterday morning. My apologies.

I felt ok by evening. Like nothing had happened. Ergo, I did my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. My preparation was lacking. I did the show by merely sitting back and pontificating. I liked the show. Those of you who listened, I hope you did also.

Ally’s birthday was monday. Ten years old. Big! I told Ally she was entering womanhood. She was a young lady. She beamed! We did dinner and Happy Birthday cake.

I screwed up. Robert’s birthday was May 15. I forgot. Did not realize it till I was talking with Lisa about Ally’s birthday. I asked when Robert’s was. Two weeks earlier.

I brought a present for Robert monday night. I apologized to him several times. It was no problem from his perspective. He hugged me tight and kissed me. Robert is now 11 years old.

KONK Life hits the stands today. My column is Corruption Of Politics And Banks. Money, of course, the cause. I suggested two Louis solutions. Read the column, if you can. Guaranteed you will enjoy.

Yesterday, a light rain all day. Today, rain again. Heavier. Another rainy day. A nice break. Cools things off.

I returned to the anti-gravity treadmill monday. It had been two weeks. I took it easy at the beginning. No problem.

The NFL, Roger Goodell, and Tom Brady. Commissioner Goodell insists he is going to hear Brady’s appeal. Bad! It has been consistent law for more than 25 years that a hearing officer cannot be judge, jury and prosecutor at the same time. If Goodell rules against Brady, Brady has a sure win in a court room thereafter.

Since Goodell made the initial decision to find Brady guilty and punish him, it appears the handwriting is on the wall as to what the appeals decision will be.

Enjoy your day

YESTERDAY MICHAEL SHIELDS, TODAY JOE BIDEN

Posted on by

A parent should never bury a child. An all time truth.

Yesterday, I mentioned  that Michael Shields’ son Jason had died. Today, Joe Biden’s son Beau.

Such sorrow for both men.

Permit me to dwell on Biden for a moment.

Back in the 1980s, I was Chairman of the Board of Visitors at the Syracuse University College of Law. Joe Biden was a Syracuse Law graduate. A United States Senator, he was a frequent visitor to the law school. If there was a football or basketball game when he was in town, he watched the game from my private box at the Carrier Dome.

I got to know him a bit. A good man then I thought. A good man today.

Biden’s first wife and daughter were killed in an automobile crash just after he was elected to his first term in the Senate. A heavy in and of itself. Now comes the death of his son Beau from brain cancer. Another heavy. How much can one man take?

Michael and Joe, may God give you the strength to get through these days.

I went out last night! For me, a big deal!

I decided on dinner at Roostica. The place was jam packed. There was not a seat anywhere. Left and went to Hogfish. Packed also, but a small table was available for me and the newspapers.

I ate. My first for real meal in two weeks. I had been building up to it. Lobster roll and one gin. The lobster roll did not particularly turn me on. It was me, not the food. Interestingly, the french fries did. I am not particularly crazy about french fries. Last night, they were gourmet food.

The one gin was tasteless. Had no effect whatsoever.

I spent yesterday afternoon writing this week’s KONK Life column. Corruption of Politics and Banks. My solution in a nutshell…..Public financing of Presidential elections and break the banks up. An interesting piece. A lot of history involved.

Remember Tiny? The 300 pound 50 year old turtle I wrote about last week. He was front page news in this morning’s Key West Citizen. He was returned to the ocean at Higgs Beach. A large crowd cheering him off.

Peggy Noonan in a column last week in the Wall Street Journal asked this question regarding Hillary Clinton…..Is her victory inevitable or impossible? Food for thought.

Years ago, Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window came out. Starred Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stewart.

Kelly took a silk negligee out of a briefcase. Or what I thought at the time was a brief case. I still do.

The brief case has been reproduced and is on sale. Referred to as an “overnight case.” Cost, $3,995. Someone has to be crazy out there!

Congress and the Patriot Act. What will be, will be. Personally, I think certain provisions should not be renewed. Senator Rand Paul has it correct. During debate, he said…..This is a debate over your right to be left alone.

Back to the treadmill at 11 this morning. The anti-gravity treadmill. I plan on going slow.

Today is Ally’s birthday. I think 10. Happy birthday Ally! Tonight, dinner and cake with the family.

Enjoy your day!

FARMERS MARKET

Posted on by

I was on the road yesterday. Tried to be up and about more than the day before. Got four hours in. 10:30-2:30. Exhausted at the end.

One of my stops was the Farmers Market. Believe held weekly at Bayview Park. A first time visit. Ashamed I had not visited before. A winner!

I have visited Farmers Markets in upstate New York, Alexandria Bay, San Diego, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Athens, Milan, and probably more. The Key West one absolutely the best!

Set in a large u shaped fashion, each tent pleasant appearing and welcoming. Everything! Breads, cakes, honey, Mel Fisher Atocha items, apple juice, candies, fruits, vegetables, jewelry, etc. Vendors a happy bunch.

The food vendors did particularly impress me. Each offered a sample. Next time I visit, it will be at lunch time. I did not partake yesterday. I would the next time. The samples are a lunch in themselves.

My day began with a business meeting. Then a haircut with Lori. Lori and several friends leave today for a week’s vacation in Arizona. They have rented a large house boat. They will be traveling on some lake that meanders through the Grand Canyon. Lori showed me pictures. Wow! The  rust colored rock mountains tall and endless. Their tiny house boat thousands of feet below.

Lunched at the old Lobo’s. Now Conch Island Queen. Best described as a Cuban sandwich place. Situated in tiny Key Lime Square behind Antonia’s.

Cuban toast and water. Still need to watch what I consume. I questioned if the Cuban toast was proper. However, I said screw it and went for it!

Then grocery shopping at Publix. My food intake consists of three levels. Each a different type food. I am entering the third phase. Needed new foods.

My article in this week’s KONK Life is Saudi Arabia And The Hypocrisy Of It All. It became available yesterday on my Key West Lou and Louis Petrone Facebook websites.

This week’s KONK Life carried two new items. The first a photo section which I am told will be part of the paper henceforth. The other a detailed story about Peter Diamond. One of Key West’s nicest persons and premier vocalists.

I close today with the Marathon Turtle Hospital. I frequently mention the turtle hospital because it does such great things.

This weekend two formerly very sick turtles will be returned to the ocean.

 

Saturday at 10:30 am in Marathon, Patti. Patti is a sub adult sea turtle. She was brought to the turtle hospital months ago emaciated with pneumonia, lock jaw and eye ulcers. Now, cured.

The other is Tiny. A very good time awaits him.

Tiny is a 50 year old 300 pound adult turtle. Turtles live to 100 or more. He was struck by a boat. Beat up badly. Now recovered, he will be released to the ocean sunday at 12:30 off Higg’s Beach behind Salute’s. He is returning to the ocean at a very good time. The hospital manager said…..He is just getting out there in time to start dating and make baby turtles.

What a life!

Enjoy your day!

 

TONIGHT…..BLOG TALK RADIO

Posted on by

My health problem surfaced last tuesday. Other than the emergency room that night, I have not been out of the house for a week. Perhaps tomorrow. I want to experience one day without pain first.

My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. The show is done from home so no problem.

Interesting show tonight. Very interesting. Topics like Saudi Arabia and hypocrisy, German government making money off bestiality brothels, 40 year old woman who just delivered her 13th son, 65 year old woman who already has 13 children delivering quadruplets, Milwaukee man pronounced dead not dead, new DEA chief will no longer focus on marijuana, trailer park owners getting rich, and more.

Join me at 9 my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

KONK Life hit the stands yesterday. My article this week Saudi Arabia And The Hypocrisy Of It All. A detailed expose.

The last time I was out of the house (last tuesday), gasoline was $3.99 a gallon. This morning, I read the national average is $2.74. Why so much more for we Key West natives? Don’t tell me the drive from Miami for delivery adds $1.25 on to the average price!

Enjoy your day!

 

STILL SICK

Posted on by

On the mend. Not there yet.

Pain considerably less. Problem now nausea. The antibiotics and pain killer. We’ll get there.

I spent the day in bed and on a recliner in the bedroom. Slept on and off. In between, I did the research for next week’s KONK Life column. Concerns Saudi Arabia. You will not believe!

The start of hurricane season around the corner. June 1. Let us hope it ends as quietly as it begins, with nothing in the middle.

This week’s KONK Life column The President Who Saved Football is available everywhere today. Printed in KONK Life. Carried in this morning’s E-Blast News. Available via link on my Facebook Key West Lou and Louis Petrone sites.

You have to get sick to know how much you are loved. I thank everyone for the telephone calls and e-mails.

Enjoy your day.

T.J. MAXX COMES TO KEY WEST

Posted on by

I really enjoyed a slow day yesterday. Started with the anti-gravity treadmill. Next Lee Nails for a manicure and pedicure by Tammy. Then home. Never left home the rest of the day.

Watched some TV and read in the afternoon.

I subscribe to a World War II magazine. World War II History. I was 5-10 years old at the time of the war. It remains etched in my mind. The war definitely had an impact on me.

I enjoy reading stories of the various World War II battles. Yesterday, it was a tank fight on Makin, a daring attack on Guadalcanal, insights into the Nuremberg trails, and the Hitler/Stalin pact.

My plan was to stop at Don’s Place at 6 and move on from there. Never made it. Came 5 and getting ready time and I thought…..I’m tired…..why not stay home. I stayed home.

Not the best of ideas. I fell asleep early. Woke at 2 and could not get back to sleep.

The stone crab season ends tomorrow. The season may be described as bad and good. The take this year was 3,000 pounds less.  However the net profit estimated at $11 million. Most of the crabs were larger. The big ones bringing a higher price.

I love stone crabs! The restaurant cost this season prohibitive. The cost generally $10 per stone crab. Medium/large sized.

Sunday will be a big day for Key West. T.J. Maxx opens its first store in the keys at 8 am. I am excited. The natives are excited. The store is in the Sears Shopping Plaza.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my Miami trip and stop at a Walmart. I bought some shorts and tee shirts. Dirt cheap!

Several people not familiar with Key West wrote and asked how could I shop at a Walmart. Wasn’t I ashamed?…..I had to be embarrassed telling people I even shopped at Walmart.

Key Westers and frequent visitors know that the dress code in Key West is simple. Shorts and tee shirts. Suits, jackets, expensive sport shirts, have no place.

I have $5,000 custom made suits hanging in my closet. For 10 years. In addition to custom made shirts that cost me $340-$560. Ties? Yes, I use to have them custom made also at $160 per. I even have a custom made tuxedo that cost me $6,000. All purchased during and for my other life in New York.

I have never worn any of them since living in Key West!

I am thrilled we now will have a T.J. Maxx and soon a Walmart on Rockland Key. For me and the rest of my Key West neighbors.

My KONK Life column this week is Banks Hurt People. They do! The column has been linked to my two Facebook sites. Key West Lou and Louis Petrone. Enjoy, if time permits.

Bocce tonight. The last night of the season. We are on the bubble re the play offs. If we win all 3 games, we will make it. Lose one and I do not know.

The Amtrak accident is a disgrace in more ways than one. First because safety equipment available for railroads was not installed. The other the arrogance and ignorance of the western Congressmen who appeared on TV yesterday.

A House Committee was voting on railroad funding. The vote had been scheduled prior to the accident. The Committee voted party line to cut Amtrak’s budget $251 million knowing the accident had occurred.

The same thing initially happened when New Jersey needed hurricane assistance after Sandy.

The next time a western State has a crisis and comes to Congress hat in hand looking for money, they should be permitted to look and nothing else. Give them the same consideration they give the east.

Another observation is that Congress, whether Democrat or Republican, continue failing to vote monies for infrastructure. Our bridges are going to start collapsing, roads are in terrible shape, our schools with structural cracks and leaking roofs.

Congress fails to recognize that infrastructure monies create jobs. Look what Eisenhower did. He knew the Korean vets would be coming home and needed jobs. He created the jobs at the same time building the first national highway system. Prior to Eisenhower, we had no national highway system.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

WEDNESDAY SCREW OFF DAY

Posted on by

Each week, sunday, monday and tuesday are consumed with writing. A pleasure. After tuesday night I need a break, however.

Wednesday has become my screw off day. The best way to describe it. The intent is to do nothing. What I end up doing are regular every day things. Like grocery shopping, now the anti-gravity treadmill, some sun, and a night out. Sometimes, even these activities are too much. I may do only some.

Two activities consume my sundays through tuesdays. First is the research and writing of the week’s KONK Life column. The other is the preparation and broadcasting of Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Each a pleasure. Each time consuming.

I finished research and preparation for Tuesday Talk at 5 yesterday. Show time not till 9. There was time to go out for dinner.

I have not been to Pepe’s in two years. The last time was lunch with Robert and Ally. Pepe’s was quiet. I sat alone at the bar. Enjoyed the barbecued chicken and mashed potatoes. Love the gravy covering the mashed potatoes!

A woman sat opposite me at the bar. She was harassed. Obviously so. Speaking rapidly. She had just arrived in Key West an hour before. First time. Staying at a guest house. Did not know what to do, where to go. Someone said eat at Pepe’s.

We talked. On different levels, however. I could not keep up with her. An odd conversation.

The show last night was a bit different. I devoted all but two minutes to banks. One of my favorite topics.

Banks/bankers are devious and conniving. No more one of the most respected members of a community. They seem to consistently come up with new games/procedures which work to their benefit and to the detriment of the customer.

New ones include negative interest, no cash in safety deposit boxes, and electronic banking. My column this week in KONK Life is titled Banks Hurt People and covers in detail the three items. KONK Life hits the stands today.

This morning’s E-News Blast included pictures of the Larry Smith Show at The Studios of Key West last week. A few were of my friend Jenna. A striking woman!

The Key West City Commission wastes hundreds of thousands and in some instances millions of dollars. Generally because they do not pay proper attention to projects they approve. It is in the details!

There is a plan under way to paint rainbow crosswalks at the intersection of Duval and Petronia. Total cost $4,000. Some one else paying half. The City’s end $2,000. Several Commissioners are up in arms. Who is going to pay for it?

Love their concern where pennies are involved. One Commissioner even expressed he was a taxpayer. Wow! Where was he and the others when major projects in Key West resulted in huge over runs?

Enjoy your day!

IT RAINED!!!!!

Posted on by

It rained! Did it rain yesterday! Five inches of rain. Winds 45 mph.

After a manicure with Tammy, I decided to drive over to Don’s Place. Many of Don’s customers work in outdoor trades. It would be a no work day for them. They would be at Don’s. I sensed a fun afternoon ahead.

It was not to be. It was pouring. Don’s parking lot and every parking space for two blocks around were full. No way was I going to walk in the deluge coming down. I went home.

I stayed home the rest of the day and evening.

The rain was continuing and I knew the streets would be flooded. Some badly. I have an innate fear that someday my Volkswagen is going to float away on one of the flooded streets.

Key West has a relatively new storm sewer system. It gets rid of the flooded street water faster after the storm stops. During the storm however, it cannot handle the rain. It has to do with the fact that Key West is at sea level or just above.

I was correct about the street flooding. This morning’s Key West Citizen has pictures of it.

Alcohol and Key West. Key West is part of Monroe County. Monroe County extends the length of the Keys. The Citizen reported this morning a study done by the University of Washington. The study examined Florida’s 67 counties to determine which county had the highest level of local resident drinking. Note, local resident drinking. Monroe County won out. Or, perhaps lost.

The result does not surprise me. Down here it is the social thing to do.

George Washington was sworn in President this day in 1789. The first President of the new country. Technically speaking, he was not.

The thirteen colonies operated as the United States following the Revolution. The colonies were formally joined together in 1781 with the adoption of the Articles of Confederation. The Articles governed our country for eight years until the Constitution was adopted.

Under the Articles, the head of the government was the President. Formally known as the President of the United States in Congress Assembled. Congress elected the President at that time. Washington was the first President under the Constitution as we know it.

John Hanson of Maryland was the first President under the Articles. There were six more after him.

Copies of Letters by Washington show Washington referring to Hanson as President.

My KONK Life column Chimpanzees Are People Too was published this morning on my Key West Lou Facebook site. It is linked from KONK Life and available for reading.

Enjoy your day!

 

AN EASY KEY WEST SUNDAY

Posted on by

Can’t raise hell every day! Some times it is good to just lie back and let the day pass slowly. I did yesterday.

Late morning my lying around was interrupted by Sloan. Our work took less than 1/2 hour. I was not in the mood.

I spent most of the afternoon sitting on the deck overlooking the water and in the shade of the tiki hut. Back and forth. My time was not wasted. I worked on this week’s KONK Life column. Great title. Chimpanzees Are People Too. Shades of corporations are people.

An interesting article. There are those who believe chimpanzees and other type apes have intellect and are able to care for themselves. Such being the case, they should be deemed persons and entitled to the Constitutional rights of life and liberty.

What next? Beginning of a planet of the apes? Intermarriage permissible? The issue raises many interesting questions.

My bottom line was the courts are crazy. Beware. The U.S. Supreme Court said corporations are people too.

I watched a bit of golf later in the afternoon. A Ladies PGA tournament. They are so good! It is amazing how far golf ability has come in the last 15 years. For men and women.

Wanted to go out for dinner. It was Tavern ‘n Town. Very quiet. A typical Sunday night off season. I sat at the bar a couple of hours reading the Sunday papers and enjoying some food and drink.

I was home in bed at 9:30.

Enjoy your day!

 

ANNUAL BED RACE

Posted on by

The Conch Republic Celebration continues. Yesterday was the bed race. Long name Conch Republic Red Ribbon Bed Race. The race is held on Duval. I watched from the curb.

The race has been described as…..The most fun you can have in bed with your clothes on!

Ten beds in the race yesterday. A slew of prizes for different things. Five or six. Just about everyone wins. Curry Mansion Inn received the Best Bed award. The eternal Edith Amsterdam riding in the bed. Edith a young 90 Key West icon.

Spent my day before and after the race researching this week’s KONK Life column. I have a bit more research and will be writing the column later today. The article will do with an item I mentioned earlier this week here. The issue as to whether chimpanzees are people. A take off from corporations are people. My intent is to show the lunacy of some court decisions.

Dinner at the bar at Hogfish. A quiet evening. I sat at the end of the bar and read newspapers.

Three weeks ago our bocce team was in second place. Today, fifth. How the mighty fall! There is still a ways to go. The top five teams make the playoffs. We are on the bubble now. I believe we will make it.

Harry Truman was and continues to be specially loved by Key West. He chose our island to spend 155 days during his Presidency as his vacation spot. His home away from home.

I have read many Truman biographies over the years. Without question, Truman loved his wife Bess deeply. Bess however was a strange woman. For some reason, she did not like living anywhere except in Independence. Truman spent many days alone in the White House.

On this day in history in 1933, Truman wrote a letter to Bess. Apparently Truman was somewhere up north and Bess and Margaret on vacation in the south.

I came across a copy of the handwritten letter on the internet. Following Dear Bess, Truman wrote…..I got a letter yesterday from you and it made the day livable and much brighter.

Love!

Food for thought. Though we are more than 500 days to the next Presidential election, I offer the following for consideration. The two major problems confronting us are the middle east wars and the economy. Rarely are candidates knowledgeable in both. Some in neither. Many times we place in office a person not equipped for the job.

This time around we should select our President from one who is best versed at either war or the economy. The decision should be made up front. Both areas are fraught with danger. At least our President will be will versed in one area and can learn on the job with the other as recent Presidents have done.

Enjoy your Sunday!