CONGRATULATIONS VLADIMIR

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Some things I do not understand.

Trump telephoned Putin yesterday to congratulate him on his reelection victory. He did this after his staff specifically advised him not to.

Putin is our enemy. He is playing with the U.S. and laughing while doing it. Especially when Trump sucks up to him.

The blind cannot see. Maybe Trump is blind when it comes to Putin. Or, perhaps he can see but acts the way he does because of some nefarious activities in the past which Putin holds over Trump’s head.

My day yesterday was spent preparing for last night’s podcast. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I believe the show one of the best done. It flowed. Covered everything from the Key West Cemetery to Trump power gone mad.

Tonight, the Chart Room at 6. The beginning of Don and Chris’ wedding celebration. They marry saturday.

This morning’s Key West Citizen ran an article re woonerf. Spelled correctly. Also known as a shared street.

The article advised Miami was going to try a woonerf in a four block area of the Wynwood section.

A woonerf is where cars, bikes, and pedestrians share the pavement on an equal footing.

Sounds strange. But, it works.

Experienced it on my several trips to Novara in northern Italy. Anna’s condo sits in a 1,500 year old building. The building sits on a wide street. Cars, bikes and people move freely over the street. There is no sidewalk. Everyone exercises caution. Cars travel a bit slower.

Never experienced a problem. Never even gave it a thought that the street was being shared by everyone.

The fourth northeaster of the month hitting the northeast. Don’t tell me global warming does not exist.

The northeaster incidentally affects Key West. The temperature will drop to 63 this evening.

Irma hit September 10. Though still recovering, the Keys have done well.

The story is not the same with Puerto Rico.

Things were bad at the beginning. I blame Trump for turning his back on the American citizens living there.

I saw some photos on the internet this morning of present day damage. Doesn’t look much better than six months ago. I continue to blame Trump.

The article I read said the US Army Corps of Engineers have pulled back on some of their assistance. Federal help has been grossly insufficient. I worry it will take a generation for Puerto Rico to recover.

I wrote a few days ago that Trump was mean and vindictive. The failure to properly assist Puerto Rico an example of his meanness and vindictiveness. Six months later, Puerto Rico is a society still in pain.

I sometimes wonder if his failure to help the Puerto Ricans has to do with the color of their skin. Most are tan.

Ben Carson is Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. His wife is Candy.

Carson thought his office needed a new dining set. The old worn, nails sticking out.

He left the task of securing one to his wife. Candy allegedly spent the $31,000 without his knowledge. Carson takes no blame. She did it!

Appears to me Carson threw his wife under the bus.

Enjoy your day!

 

ISABELLA

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Met Isabella last night. A lovely lady.

Isabella is a 2 year old Old English Sheep Dog. Her master/owner/caretaker Tim Reynolds.

Tim is an old friend from more than 20 years back. Tim for 13 years was the Chef at Square One. A top chef at a top restaurant. He and owner Michael Stewart a team.

Tim now lives in the St. Petersburg area. In Key West for a few days.

We had dinner together last night at Salute’s. Tim, Barbara and me.

Tim greeted me outside Salute’s with Isabella. I was overwhelmed at first. Isabella full grown. Awesome.

Tim takes excellent care of Isabella. She was decked out in pink bows. Her coat shining. She behaved like a lady during dinner. Laid by the table and rarely moved.

Golf is not a cheap sport to play. Green fees expensive. The Key West Golf Course consistent with the national trend in that regard.

Fifty years ago, Key West golfers complained. The price of a round of golf on the weekend was raised to $3.50.

Al Roker was in Key West last week. For the Today show. Highlighting hurricane relief efforts in the Keys. Fifty one first responders were honored. The event took place at the Margaritaville Resort.

Sexual harassment in the news big time. Will continue to be.

You would assume female sexual harassment unchallenged is centuries old. Not so. I was surprised to learn that in ancient Rome female sexual harassment was not tolerated. Terms used in those days were accosting, stalking and abducting. Female sexual assault was considered contrary to good morals.

Recall last year’s Keystone pipeline furor. In North Dakota. The Sioux Indians involved.

Keystone people stated the pipeline was safe. Leakage would not be a problem.

Obama had rejected the pipeline on environmental grounds. Trump made Keystone a key plank in his energy policy. A federal permit to proceed with the pipeline’s construction was issued by the Trump administration in March.

The pipeline runs through several States. Last week, an underground leak occurred in South Dakota. Keystone claims the leak only 5,000 barrels and contained. Hopefully so.

In any event, this is only the beginning. All pipelines leak. This one is merely the first of many to come.

Yesterday was the 154th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln’s brief but famous words. He spoke of “…..government of the people, by the people, for the people” not perishing from the earth.

Take heed of Lincoln’s words. We are losing the government he described.

Forget not Irma and Me. The book is available on amazon.com.

Charles Manson died yesterday at the age of 83. Hard to describe the man. He was evil personified. Despicable.

A cult leader, he was responsible for the deaths of seven people over a period of two nights in August 1969 in the Los Angeles area.

His group’s first victim was actress Sharon Tate. Eight months pregnant, she was stabbed 16 times.

Manson received life in prison. Never paroled.

Tomorrow I am undergoing a heart catheterization at a Hollywood hospital. Which sadly means no blog tomorrow and perhaps also wednesday. In addition, my tuesday podcast Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou will not air.

Worry not. I will be back. This is my fourth heart catheterization. Not a big deal unless the doctor screws up.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

keystone people said the l

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ITALY

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A double header last night. Joined the Sons and Daughters of Italy and attended their Christmas Party.

Actually, I rejoined the Sons of Italy. I was a member of the organization years ago in Utica when the name did not contain Daughters.

The ladies have come a long way.

Back in the 1970s, there was a cigarette called Virginia Slims. I don’t know if it is still available. Virginia Slims came up with a bull’s eye advertising slogan. Ladies…..You’ve come a long way! True today. In every area.

The Christmas party was at La Trattoria. Great food. Great people celebrating the holiday. The Sons and Daughters a party group!

Georgio sponsored me. A personality. I sat with Georgio and his wife Sharon, Karon and Stan, Donna and Bob, and Jerry. The wine flowed.

In order to become a member of the Key West chapter of the Sons of Italy, the remotest connection to an Italian background suffices. I think even if your best friend is.

The President a Michael Kelly.

Kate Miano in attendance. As usual, a knockout. Her hair last night red. A subdued red. Perfect for Kate! She looked terrific!

Santa Claus was at the party. He is a member. A natural beard. He suggested Robert and Ally must have discovered the truth about Santa. He did not get a call to make his usual Christmas Eve visit to Lisa’s.

Santa Claus is Mac McCauskand. It was obvious he is a well liked person.

A big night for Mac. He was inducted into the Conch Republic Navy. An Admiral swore him in. We all participated, even to the left handed salute.

I assumed Mac would go in as a lieutenant at the very least. Not so. Something along the order of chief dishwasher.

Many at our table Rotary members. None had read my 27 installments re the history of the Key West Rotary. Which means they don’t read my blog. For shame.

Interestingly, I heard from no Rotarian re the history. Guess Rotarians generally don’t read the blog either.

I had a good time. Thank you Georgio and Jerry for asking me to join.

Enjoy your day!

 

COUCH POTATO

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Valentine’s Day and New Years Eve are much alike. Amateur night. Many out who normally are not. Restaurants and bars packed. Ergo, I decided to stay home. I was a couch potato most of the day.

Other than watching the Syracuse/Duke game, writing next week’s KONK Life column What recovery?, and some reading, I did nothing.  Enjoyed every minute of it.

Duke defeated Syracuse 80-72. Both teams played well. Syracuse fell behind with about 10 minutes to go and never caught up. Syracuse and Duke meet in two weeks again. Crazy ACC scheduling!

I wrote next week’s KONK Life column. The recovery is not what Washington touts it to be. Which is what I wrote about. Hit certain areas of poverty that still exist. Like 16 million public school children homeless.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reports the Key West City Commission is working on a custom made parking lot for tour buses. Tour buses are those that bring people in generally for a day. They come from all over Florida. The passengers spend some money. I cannot believe it is much.

The City Commission has already authorized$18,220 for preliminary design plans.

Screw the tour buses! Take care first of the car parking problem. Those living outside Key West (as I do) find it extremely difficult to find a parking spot since the new parking ordinance went into effect. Typical of this City Commission that seems to lead with their asses rather than their heads.

Enjoy your Sunday!