GHOSTS AND GOBLINS, TRICK OR TREAT NIGHT

Tonight, Halloween! Tons of kids running up and down streets, attacking front doors, shouting as the door is opened…..Trick or Treat!

The Trick or Treat thing I believe regional. In upstate New York from whence I came, it was Guess or Give. Either verbiage produced the same result. Goodies for the ghosts and goblins.

Halloween is of Christian origin. Some believe a pagan beginning.

I enjoyed Halloween with my children and then with grandkids Robert and Ally. I walked with my children and watched from the sidewalk as they did their thing and collected goodies. Robert and Ally I did in conjunction with their parents.

I never did the door to door thing when young. My mother was from the old country. She was convinced I would get in trouble if I was out Halloween night. A tough woman in this regard. Never relented. I never saw the dark of Halloween night while in grammar school and high school.

Maybe that is why I enjoyed escorting my children and grandchildren in my later years.

Ghosts a part of Halloween! Look closely and you might see one.

Key West has many ghosts. The one I will mention has been seen  many nights. Not just Halloween.

The Lady in Blue.

She can be found at Captain Tony’s Saloon. The bar and the Lady in Blue legendary. Captain Tony’s was at one time an ice house. Also, the city morgue. The ice helped keep the bodies from decomposing.

Captain Tony’s was the facility where hangings took place. Not always legal ones. The tree used for executions still lives inside the bar growing through the roof.

The Lady in Blue was not legally hung. The populace was upset with her. She brutally murdered her husband and 2 young sons. A mob lynched her.

She was hung in a blue dress.  The same dress she had worn while committing the murders.

The Lady in Blue today lives in the bar. She makes frequent appearances. Many claim to have caught a glimpse of her as she roams the bar. Women beware, it is said she often appears in the lady’s room.

Tropic Cinema has been closed for almost a month. Renovations. It has reopened.

The Fall is generally Key West’s slow season. Merchants are happy when Fantasy Fest arrives. They are more happy when Boat Season is here.

Powerboat racing. Accurately titled: Powerboat Racing World Championships.

Boats big and expensive. Owners arrive with crews consisting of drivers and mechanics. All bring their ladies. The owners are affluent. The hotels, restaurants and bars enjoy a week of extremely good business.

Spectators galore. The races exciting.

Powerboat Race Week runs from November 4 through November 10.

My podcast Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night. A hard hitting fast moving show. Most of the time spent discussing the Pittsburgh synagogue attack, the migration towards our southwest borders, and Hurricane Michael.

Hurricane Michael and the migration/carnival situation caused me the most concern. Michael probably because of Irma. Irma still with me. Michael much worse.

Michael hit 18 days ago. I said before Michael came ashore, and have said and written several times since, the federal government would fail in its response.

So far they have.

Little is reported re conditions at the Panhandle, for example. I suspect because FEMA and the federal government in general are not doing their job effectively. Water, food, shelter, power, etc. still a major problem.

Lets direct attention to the refugees traveling from Guatemala and Honduras to our southwest border. They are walking. Young, old, mothers carrying babies, pregnant women, children. A 2,000 mile trip. One thousand completed. Another thousand to go.

The group is doing 30 miles a day. It will take another month for them to reach U.S. borders.

Trump last week began with it is an “emergency” situation. An “invasion”. He said he was sending the U.S. Army down. Understand that already there are 20,000 border guards and 2,000 National Guardsmen.

The first day, we were told 800 Army personnel would be sent. Two days later, the number rose to 5,200. Last night, it was being reported that the number could go as high as 14,000.

Defense Secretary Mattis said Army soldiers would be at the border by the weekend. Equipment also.

It is against the law to deploy Army soldiers for action within U.S. borders. Called the Posse Comitatus Act. An exception is in the case of an “invasion.” Experts commenting this week have all said no way do these refugees constitute an invasion. At a minimum between Border guards, National Guardsmen and U.S. Army personnel, there will be 27,200 to guard our borders. Against the approaching caravan yet a month away.

The caravan was first reported as 4,000. A few days later, 7,000. Now, 3,500. It is obvious that fewer than 3,500 will reach the U.S. To be confronted by 27,200 to keep them out.

Overkill.

Last week, the news was the Army would neither have nor use guns. They were being sent for administrative assistance. Now guns are in the air!

Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen made a trip to the border a few days ago. Upon her return, she was asked why she had gone. Her response, to work out “terms of engagement.” Means guns, firepower. When will the Army shoot at refugees? From no guns to shooting guns in less than a week.

We all know this is a political ploy on Trump’s part. He wants the immigration issue to play in next tuesday’s election.

Hope you are still with me. There is a point to be made here.

Why send the 5,200 U.S. Army troops to the border now? Or, at all for that matter? They should already have been in the Panhandle, etc. The Panhandle need is today. The caravan problem a month off, if at all.

Simple. Genius not required to understand what should have been done or be done.

Trump visited Pittsburgh yesterday. He was ignored. Major political leaders did not show up. It was Donald, Melania, Ivana, Jared, and about 3 other people walking around.

Families of the deceased refused to see him.

The street demonstrations were sorrowful. Many carrying signs indicating in effect they did not want Trump there.

The President was publicly insulted. He deserved it.

Enjoy your day!

WHAT A MORNING…..

What a morning! When things go wrong, they screw up all the way!

It is now 12 noon. I am just starting the blog. Normally, I begin at 6 in the morning.

I had an 8 am doctor visit. Fasting blood work. Left the house at 7:45. Heavy going to work traffic. I was late. Got to doctor’s office 8:10.

Receptionist wanted to know why I was there. Blood work, I said. She said tomorrow.

She took pity on me and said sit down, I’ll work you in. Five minutes later, my blood was being drawn.

The doctor’s office is all of a 100 feet from the Cuban Coffee Queen. I stopped in for breakfast. Cuban cheese toast and coffee. Instead, I was served a regular huge portion of bread embodying 2 eggs and cheese. More food than I would eat in a day.

They said enjoy. I said what the hell and did!

Could not finish the sandwich. Too much.

Went to my car to go home to do this blog. Battery dead. I was beginning to suspect this was not my day.

Called AAA. Excellent repair man. Told me something was corroded and that was why the battery was not functioning. He did his thing and then charged the battery.

Everything in good order! One problem. My trip home delayed. The repair man told me I had to drive the car 45 minutes to charge the battery. More delay. I spent the 45 minutes driving up US 1 and back.

My podcast Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou tonight. Normally I prepare the show tuesday afternoon. I would have had to move my ass to get it done and done correctly if such was the case today.

For whatever reason, I prepared tonight’s show yesterday afternoon. Why, I do not know. First time. In any event, I will not be rushed when I finish this blog. God must have known the problems I was going to experience this morning so moved me to do today’s work yesterday.

Aqua’s Dueling Bartenders last night. Tom Luna and Rick Dery their usual great entertainers. Terri White guest performer. Now blind, you would never know it. Her performance outstanding!

Wife Donna with her, of course. Donna dressed in black. Looked fantastic. The black contrasted well with her white hair.

Sheila and her California designer friend Carol at the bar. Jean Thornton with them. Liz on the other side. Greeted Liz with a kiss. Enjoyed a couple of drinks with Jean.

Jean left and Mary showed up. I was a lucky man. All these lovely ladies to chat with.

In between, Catt Zinger and her sister Stephanie sat next to me. Tom Luna introduced me to Catt. What a history!

Catt and her husband now live in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Catt visiting Key West for 3 weeks. Lived here for several years. While in Key West, she bartended at Garden of Eden for 5 years. Also did some bartending time at Aqua where she got to know Tom Luna.

When Catt married 5 years ago, the service took place at the Garden of Eden. Eighty guests. A bus or train used to transport guests around as the couple did a pre-planned Duval crawl.

One stop was Aqua. Tom Luna bartending. A good friend. Catt said Tom went out of his way to make the stop a memorable one. The group spent 2 hours at Aqua. She is forever felt grateful to Tom for the fun time he provided.

Almost forgot sister Stephanie. Lovely, also. Not from Hawaii. Lives somewhere in Florida.

On the way home, I stopped at Dion’s on US 1 for Dion’s chicken. I have been in Key West for 30 years. Would you believe…..Never tried Dion’s chicken before. A popular item in Key West.

Took the chicken home and devoured. So good! Even better. Hard to describe how good. I will be enjoying it with some degree of regularity from now on.

Clayton and Valerie two of the most respected persons in Key West. Clayton left Australia many years ago and after time in a country or two ended up in Key West. I first met Clayton when he was bartending at Antonia’s. Valerie when she was bartending at Hot Tin Roof.

The couple has operated Vino’s on Duval for 8 years. Hard workers. They have 2 other Vino’s elsewhere in Florida.

The Fantasy Fest Parade resulted in a problem. With all the “perversity” going on, it is fodder for preachers who decry such “wrongdoing.”

A preacher ended up in front of Vino’s. Remained. Had a microphone electrically operated. Stood in front of Vino’s and would not leave. Told everyone in effect how bad they were.

The preacher was affecting Clayton’s business. People were not going into Vino’s. Those on the porch who had paid for a seat were being disturbed.

Clayton twice asked the preacher to please stop and move on. He refused to hear Clayton. Words were exchanged. Clayton was pushed by the preacher.

Retaliation is wonderful. Clayton cut the wire to the microphone.

The police arrived. The preacher was not arrested for battery. Clayton was arrested. For cutting the wire. The charge misdemeanor mischief.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum will be in Key West thursday morning. At 8:30. An early bird. On Higgs Beach, behind Salute’s.

Come hear Florida’s next Governor.

A local blog this morning. Join me tonight for my podcast show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou at 9. Material all non-local. I have much to say. Hear my pointed ranting and raving. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

 

OLD COUPLE

Strange experience last night.

I did not want to go into town. Parking a problem during Goombay and Fantasy Fest. Three different times my car has been towed. $200 plus each time. Additionally, after 25 years I have seen all there is to see about the events. I have rarely attended in recent years.

Diane Millikan is back. Gave her a call and said join me for dinner. Meet me at the new SONIC across the street from where you are staying.

Sonic a new short order food operation in Key West. Mega bucks involved for the property. I was curious what it was like.

I opted to eat at an outside table rather than in the car. One orders by standing in front of a huge screen. The size of a 50 inch TV screen. The menu listed. A press button operation. Someone answers and you place your order.

When the food and bill arrived, I noticed something unusual on the bill: CUST INFO: OLD COUPLE.

Bothered me. Not because I am old. Because SONIC obviously had to have a camera built into the screen that automatically deduced Diana and I are old. SONIC probably requires the information for their purposes. However, it irritated me someone was taking my picture and labeling me without my permission.

See if I eat their cheeseburgers again!

The food sucked. Not because of the picture taking. It did. And the tables were dirty. All of them. I had to clean one off before we sat down.

Today the day! The beginning of Fantasy Fest itself. A wild week ahead. Tourists galore. As many as 60,000 the night of the parade. Every year, I wonder where they sleep. There are not enough rooms in the Keys to accommodate all of them.

A Michael update. Michael’s strength and the surge unearthed 15 19th century ships that had been wrecked off Dog Island by a hurricane. The hurricane occurred in 1899. The ships are siting on the beaches.

Syracuse/UNC an interesting game yesterday afternoon. I missed the best part. I fell asleep.

With 3 minutes to go, Syracuse was losing. I think by 3 points. That is when I fell asleep.

I assumed Syracuse lost and never checked the final score when I woke. I did last night when I returned home. Syracuse won in a double overtime 40-37.

Friends have been e-mailing me and asking…..Wasn’t it a great game!

Not the first time this has happened to me.

This morning’s news advises that Trump announced following his latest rally last night that the U.S. was going to exit its nuclear treaty with Russia. A treaty that was entered into in 1987 between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Reagan at the time used a Russian proverb as to how he was going to handle whether Russia was complying with the provisions of the agreement. Doveryai no proveryai. Trust, but verify.

Trump claims Russia has been violating the treaty. Why rush to a North Korea type confrontation? All Trump had to do was ask Putin if Russia was. If Putin said no, then Trump should be comfortable with the response. As he was each time Putin told him Russia did not interfere in the 2016 election.

I suspect Trump is playing this new game to show voters he is tough. The November 6 elections around the corner.

Also, this confrontation in the making provides Trump with evidence in the Mueller investigation that he is not friends with Russia. He’s willing to go to nuclear war with them!

Realistically, I doubt any war is about to occur. Russia militarily is not our equal. Except in their new submarine fleet that can shoot missiles onto our shores.

The only way Russia could stand up to the U.S. militarily is if China joined them. A possibility always. Putin and Xi have been making all kinds of economic deals the past few years.

Behind Trump’s present blustering is John Bolton. A bad man. A war monger. Most previous Presidents have been able to avoid him. Trump, not. Bolton talks tough. As does Trump. Birds of a feather.

Trump is turning migration into a campaign issue again. People are escaping Guatemala to avoid harm, to seek a better life for themselves and their children, etc. Trump makes it sound like an attack en mass is coming.

Many of the 4,000 are stuck on a bridge over a river separating Guatemala and Mexico. Body to body. No food, no toilets, no water, no shelter, etc. Sounds like the aftermath of Michael.

One woman interviewed crying while kneeling on the bridge clutching her 11 month old infant to her breast. The baby had a fever. The baby was without a diaper. There were none.

I continue to say if people are willing to walk 2,000 miles and go through these type conditions, they cannot be bad. They are in need. In need of a better way.

Forget the money. We piss money away on many things. Here at least it would go for a good cause.

This is not a crisis. Authorities say except for a spike here and there, immigration is at a 40 year low.

Time to help a neighbor. We forget. Especially the Golden Rule…..Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Don’t respond with…..God helps those who help themselves. These people are trying to help themselves. They are walking 2,000 miles and jeopardizing the health and lives of themselves and their children.

Enjoy your Sunday!