RUM CAKE

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!