CROCODILE OFF SMATHERS BEACH

Posted on by

Front page picture in this morning’s Key West Citizen is a crocodile sunning on a boulder off Smathers Beach. The crocodile was described as a juvenile. Looked pretty big to me. Ominous.

In my years in Key West, I am not aware of a crocodile sighting. Maybe 1 or 2 up the keys. Crocs are not common  to our area. Iguanas, one python, vultures, mosquitoes, cats and dogs. But, no crocodiles!

I hope something can be done about this crocodile. Many swim Smathers Beach waters as well as those of nearby Higgs Beach. The Citizen’s short news report indicated the crocodile had been viewed off Smathers for a few days before the photo was taken. Was the public warned?

The humorous/sad part of this story is that crocodiles are a protected species. I assume that protection  does not extend to the authorities doing something about the crocodile.

I went to Church yesterday morning. Unity Congregational. To show honor and respect to my friend Rick Boettger. Rick announced several weeks ago in KONK Life that his time on earth is limited. Prostrate cancer.

Rick reflected on his life. Touching.

Rick’s wife Cynthia sitting in the front row. Afterwards, we exchanged a hug and kiss. Rick and I hugged, also.

Rick is an intellectual of sorts. He expressed an interest in our sitting down together  to discuss world problems and solutions. I believe such a meeting will take place soon. We did a similar get together several months ago on the rear deck at Rick’s home. Cynthia and Pru Sowers present. With drinks in hand, the world was a better place by the time we finished our talk.

Wrote this week’s KONK Life column in the afternoon. Young Man To Pope. Unusual human events in Pope Francis’ life that contributed to the man we have come to know today. Events that helped mold Francis into the person he is.

Watched the end of the golf tournament and race to the FedEx Cup. Jordan Spieth impressive. Twenty two years old. He won $22 million this year.

Sunday night for me has been Roostica. The special is spaghetti with meatballs, sausage and pork. Like my grandmother made.

When I left home, it was not raining. Roosstica is 2 miles from my home. At the end of one mile, it started pouring. By the time I got to Roostica, the rain was extremely heavy. Limited vision.

I sensed the rain was not going to end shortly. I did not want to run the ten feet to Roostica from where my car was parked. I would have been drenched!

I turned around and drove to the Marriott’s Tavern ‘n Town. The Marriott’s parking garage is covered. The lobby a door away. No rain cascading down on me.

Yesterday’s Citizen carried the bocce listings. Our team is tied with another for second place. Our records 13-2. The number one team is 14-1. A great year so far!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

MECHANIC JUNIOR GRADE

Posted on by

Finally made it in life! I fixed a problem with a car.

I have a Volkswagen 2010 Beetle convertible. Off and on I have had an ignition problem. The key will not turn. A genuine pain in the ass! This past week it happened often. Became a real aggravation.

I had to leave the car at the Weston garage thursday night because the key in the ignition would not turn. Jennifer was kind enough to drive me to the Weston yesterday. I told her on the way that several months ago it happened while I was at Don’s Place. Left the car overnight. The next day when I returned, it turned over like nothing.

Same thing happened yesterday. The key turned and I was on my way. Cost me $48 to leave the car overnight, however. $4 an hour. A rip off!

Drove over to a shop near the beach that advertises Volkswagen repairs. Closed.

I wanted to go to Sloppy Joe’s last night to watch the Hemingway Look Alike Contest. Showered again, shaved and dressed. Into the car in the garage. #x&*%, the key would not turn! I raised a hell of a sweat. Aggravation set in big time.

I stayed home. Had no choice. Poured myself a couple of gins and felt better.

During the night, my sciatica returned. Nothing going right.

I got up extra early this morning. Googled Volkswagen ignition key problem. Should have done it first!

Turns out the 2010 Volkswagen has an ignition key turning problem. Several remedies suggested. I tried them all.

Wear your seat belt. Interesting. Claim was the key would not turn because of a security problem. Seat belt had to be attached. Did not work.

Hit the hole where the key goes in with something heavy. The end of a butter knife. Did not work.

Put the key in and hit the key with something heavy, turning the key at the same time. Impossible to do. Required body gymnastics.

Jiggle the steering wheel. I did that at the Weston garage. The wheel did not move even a little bit. Tried it again this morning. Absolutely no movement.

Finally, spray some WD 40 into the ignition hole. Where the hell was I going to get WD 40, whatever it is, at 5 in the morning?

The Lord was with me. Keith leaves some materials around for when he has to fix something at the house. Would you believe! There was a can of WD 40 in the bag. I gave the hole one spray. Waited a minute. Voila! The key turned like it was in melted butter.

I tried several times. Worked each time. Lets hope it works later today. I plan on attending the Running of the Bulls at 1 by Sloppy Joe’s.

You might ask why I do not take the car to a Volkswagen dealer. Because the nearest one is 160 miles north in Miami. Last time I buy a car that does not have a dealership in Key West.

Compounding everything, my sciatica came back during the night.

The weather is iffy. It smells and tastes like rain. Extra humid. Clouds black. Blacker coming in off the ocean.

Yesterday’s weather report said storms this afternoon. The morning report says clouds. I think we are going to have some rain. Whatever, I will have my slicker with me. The bulls run regardless of the weather.

Enjoy your day!

 

HAPPY HUMP DAY

Posted on by

I have been visiting Key West for over 25 years. Bought a home 17 years ago. Been a Florida resident 9 years.

Never heard the term hump day till my Key West days. Thought it meant that wednesday were set aside in the Keys for sex. How nice, I thought. It was only a few years ago when I mentioned the sex thing in this blog that I was made aware it represents the middle day of the week.

I do not recall hump days in upstate New York. I live and learn.

A happy hump day one and all!

Key West weather continues to be outstanding. Warm/humid every day. One problem. Insufficient rain for this time of year. July brings summer weather. Rain every day. Not long in duration, however consistent. Every day. No rain every day this July. We could use it. Otherwise, a problem.

I spent some time yesterday morning shopping for baby clothes on Duval. A gift package. Hard to find quality baby clothes in Key West. Several stores. Basically, all selling the same. Guess I will be going to the internet.

Lunched at the Cuban Coffee House. Ran into Bobby. He’s been in Key West longer than me. I first met him 25 years ago when I was visiting. The last time I saw him was five years ago at the Casa Marina for July 4th fireworks.

It was good running into him. He was going to Peter Diamond’s for a haircut. Peter’s barber shop is next to the Cuban Coffee House.

Yesterday afternoon  was spent researching a bit further for last night’s blog talk radio show. Then fine tuning the material.

Reaction to the show was as I expected. Post show comments indicate a furor with the recent revelation that Planned Parenthood has been selling the cells of aborted fetuses and actual body parts of partial born aborted fetuses. My KONK Life column this week is devoted to the abomination.

This week Key West celebrates Hemingway Days. 125 plus Hemingway look alikes in town. Another city is celebrating a similar event, except for Santa Claus. Copenhagen this week is holding its annual World Santa Claus Congress. More than 125 Santa Claus’ in attendance. Their purpose to study Santa Claus problems. This year the issue is too many cookies. The kids leave Santa so many cookies that Santa is gaining weight.

Today’s Hemingway Days events include Meet the Papas at Sloppy Joe’s at 5:30. The Key West Marlin Tournament kicks off. $50,000 in cash prizes. Last night was meet the Hemingway look alikes at Sloppy Joe’s. Key West is into Hemingway days!

There is a company on the internet called Car Decal Geek. Love the name! The company makes vinyl decals and stickers for cars. They have a section depicting Key West. Terrific! It’s all there! Everything!

Car Decal Geek is a Michigan based company. A growing company. Take a look at their website for some great decals.

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!