BEST LOVE STORY EVER

I give thought to what my lead comment should be each day. Generally a Key West or heavy news item. Today, love.

Today is the birthday of Emily Bronte. Her earth time the first half of the 19th century. She wrote Wuthering Heights. Started the book when she was 27. For me, Wuthering Heights is the greatest love story ever written. Heavy.

Cathy and Heathcliff. A wrenching tale. Lovewise and otherwise.

Wuthering Heights was made into a movie in 1939 starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. Olivier won the Academy Award that year for Best Actor.

Today’s Morning Joe ran a video of New Hampshire voters big on Donald Trump. Interesting. They view Trump as the American man. Their responses reflected their belief that Trump understood their problems and was going to fight for them. He was not the typical politician.

Coud he really get the nomination? Be elected?

A tough day yesterday. Sciatica still bothering me. It had been a week. I decided to try the anti-gravity treadmill. Kept it on low hoping to work out the back pain. No way! I lasted 9 minutes. Had to stop.

Hurried over to Dr. Jackie Lefferts. Need a steroid shot! Got one. Took most of the day to take effect. Did so gradually. Not like the last time when in two hours I was pain free. Ok this morning. Will be on steroid pills a few days. Maybe I could get a professional baseball contract.

The Chart Room first last night. A decent crowd. Mini lobster fishpersons.

Then to Hot Tin Roof for dinner. Tried pork shank for the first time. Oh, so good! I will be ordering it again the next time there.

Suarez should get the death penalty or life in jail. He is the 23 year old Stock Island man who made a back pack nail bomb. His intent was to bury it at night under the sand on a Key West beach. The bomb could be detonated away from where it was buried.

FBI and local authorities were on to him from April. Finally arrested him two days ago when he was prepared to do the dirty deed.

Suarez was arraigned in federal court in Miami yesterday. His lawyer said he was not a “terrorist.” Merely “…..troubled and confused.”

Kill him! He was going to kill and maim people of all ages enjoying our beaches.

Yesterday was day 1 of Lobster Mini Season. I did not see many boats from my deck. Where 10-15 would be sitting, there were no more than two.

The weather was perfect for diving. Water calm. Sun shining.

Nothing better than diving for a few lobsters, running the boat into shallow water, cooking the tails on a grill on the boat soaking them in butter, standing in the shallow water and eating by hand the delicious buttery tails. Knock off a few cans of beer. Then dunk your whole body into the water to clean off.

Ran into Sheila on my way into the Chart Room last night. Why are you picking on Planned Parenthood, she asked. She was referring to my KONK Life column re Planned Parenthood selling fetus cells and baby parts. It was not the place to talk. I was late for a dinner date. I told her we will talk another time.

Before all women dump on me, let it be known I have always been a supporter of Planned Parenthood, believe in a woman’s right to choose, support abortion rights and birth control. However when an organization sells parts of the fetus/baby aborted, it is another story. Illegal to begin. Also I cannot believe a woman who is about to undergo an abortion understands that the body parts will be sold, if the woman is told such at all.

Right turns into wrong under the circumstances.

This week’s KONK Life column is Harry Truman’s Mother In Law. It hit the stands yesterday. This morning it was linked to my Key West Lou website.

Enjoy your day!

WEAPON OF MASS DESRUCTION…..KEY WEST BEACH

Horror never strikes at home. Or so we believe. It does, it could.

National news today tells the story of a 23 year old Key West area man arrested by federal authorities. Arrested for his intent to bury on a Key West beach a back pack filled with nails. One which could be exploded from a distant point.

The individual arrested lives on Stock Island. Stock island has two parts. The island split by U.S. 1. The Atlantic side less than affluent. Home to Hogfish and Roostica. The Gulf side, the golf course, tasteful homes and condominiums. The man arrested lived on the Atlantic side.

He is reported to be a member of the Islamic State network.

The story was carried this morning on the front page of the Key West Citizen. It also was reported on Morning Joe. Not the type of notoriety we want in the Keys. Nor any where else for that matter.

A beach explosion would have maimed/killed very young children to the very elderly. The FBI and other authorities are to be complimented for their fine work.

Yes, it could happen here. An eye opener!

This sciatica will not go away! Better this morning. And then a shot of pain!

My yesterday busy. Started with a haircut with Lori. She is off to Long Island and Maine this week to visit family. Then a manicure with Tammy. Always a pleasant experience. The sciatica followed me to both places.

Fined tuned last night’s blog talk radio show in the afternoon. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou went well last night. Post show comments indicate all topics hit a nerve. I like that.

Randy Roberts was on America’s Got Talent last night. A premier Key West entertainer. A nice guy. He did not make it. He failed to move to the next level. I feel bad for Randy. I am sure all of Key West does.

I watched the show from 8-9. Had to break to do my blog talk radio show at 9. Randy appeared during that time. I missed his performance. I understand he sang The Lady Is A Tramp. Beautifully and perfectly done.

I had an early dinner at Roostica. Spoke a while with owner Bobby. His family from southern Italy, also. He has never visited Greece. Before I could tell him, he told me he believed he had Greek blood in him. Concluded from readings. The conversation which followed was most interesting.

The two day Lobster Mini Season began this morning. Normally, there is a slew of boats going past my home on the way to the lobster happy hunting grounds. This morning, not so many. I am curious as to why.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

ANT-MAN 3D

I love the movies. Love watching movies on TV. Especially the old ones.

Last night, I went to the movies. Saw Ant-Man 3D. Not normally my cup of tea. I went because I wanted to get out and it appeared to be the best available. I also wanted to see a 3D movie. I had only seen 2 prior to last night.

I was surprised! The movie was terrific! Loved it! Michael Douglas had an interesting role as an older scientist. His performance worthy of an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

I sat rigidly in the movie chair. My back. The sciatica won’t go away. It has been bothering me since friday. I spent yesterday in bed. Took a pain pill and was on the heating pad most of the day. The pain pill did not help. The heating pad did.

By 5, it was time to get out of the house. Walking difficult. Bent over.

Went to an early dinner at Tavern ‘n Town. Ran into two guys I like and admire. Michael Schwartz and Tim Reynolds.

Michael owned Square One for twenty odd years. My favorite restaurant during his tenure as owner. Always gracious, Michael was the perfect host. Tim was chef at Square One most of the years Michael owned the restaurant. An excellent chef, he got tired of cooking and went into TV and audio. He presently works for a big time TV concern out of Tampa.

My back was no problem when I was sitting. Whether at Tavern ‘n Town or the movie. When I got up and had to walk another story. I took a pain pill when I went to bed. Not much help.

Had a lousy night and hurt this morning. I am trying to avoid calling the doctor for a steroid shot. The shot will kill the pain in two hours. Something in my head says steroids are not healthy.

There is a mature gentleman who rides a colorful tricycle nightly on Duval. Brightly colored. Christmas lights and all. Music blaring.

He is James Chapman. Better known as Mr. Chapman. Age 76. Lives in Bahama Village. A fifth generation Conch. He is leaving Key West. He lost his home to the bank in a mortgage foreclosure. Cannot find affordable housing for he and his family. They are moving to Delaware.

A shame!

My blog talk radio show tonight. Because of my back, preparation not yet complete. Will have to get to it this afternoon.

Planned topics include the House Of Lords member who was videoed snorting cocaine from a prostitute’s breasts, two police stories though not involving shootings never the less deplorable, the House vote re GMO labeling, a poor federal appellate decision saying air fresheners and rosary beads hanging in a car can be an indication of criminal activity, China on the move, and more.

Join me. Nine my time tonight. A fast moving half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Heard from Anna again. She is still on Amorgos. Elini was able to find her another room. She leaves for Athens shortly where she will spend a few days at the Gran Bretagne. The finest hotel I ever enjoyed. Envy her.

Anna tells me a large yacht showed up in Amorgos yesterday. Unusual for the big boats to come in. Word quickly spread that the vessel was owned by Elton John. Unfortunately, Elton was not on board. Only the crew.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

HEMINGWAY DAYS SADLY OVER

Key West empty last night. Hemingway Days ended. Everyone heading out of town. Sad that Hemingway Days had come to an end. From my perspective, one of the most enjoyable Key West events.

One hundred twenty two participants in the Hemingway Look Alike Contest. Charlie Boice from Palm Beach Gardens won. He had been trying for 15 years. There were winners in the Hemingway Days Arm Wrestling Contest at Sloppy Joe’s. Males and females participating.

I was out and about yesterday. That is why I knew the Hemingway people were moving out or already gone.

It was Martin’s for brunch. Dee was supposed to meet me at noon. She never showed. I telephoned her. She had forgotten. An indicator of how much she thinks of me. I enjoyed eggs benedict alone.

Spent the afternoon writing this week’s KONK Life column. Harry Truman’s Mother In Law. Did he have a mother in law! A cross he silently bore. You will find the article interesting.

Schooner Wharf to start the evening. Unusually quiet. About a third of the bar occupied. Again, the Hemingways had departed. I enjoyed a couple of drinks. Missy from Don’s Place bartending. Met Devin who is in charge of maintenance at Sunset Key. He is maintenance! We talked about L’Atitudes.

Then to Pepi’s for dinner. Very few customers, also. Ate at the bar. Kelley bartending. My usual. Barbecued chicken and mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes buried in brown gravy.

Pepi’s had an historical listing on the back of the menu. Pepi’s was founded in 1909. The menu listed other historical events which occurred in 1909. One was the granting of the first patent for a gasoline electric hybrid auto. Took a long time to become a reality!

Randy Roberts is one of the great Key West entertainers. He has starred at La Te Da for 17 years. As Cher, Judy Garland, etc. He is Cher and Judy Garland. Outstanding drag performances!

Randy will appear tomorrow night on America’s Got Talent. Eight o’clock on NBC. Watch! Hope he wins!

Lobster Mini Season wednesday and thursday this week. The enthusiasts have already begun arriving. There were a bunch who apparently rented the house next door to me. Around 11 last night the noise began. Big time! Till 2 in the morning. Music to deafen by!

Thirty thousand visitors expected for the two day mini season.

I have been critical of recent court decisions. Too far out. People are losing respect for the judicial system.

An example is a federal appellate decision involving a Texas case. The police pulled a car over. The reason being they thought the occupants were engaged in criminal activity. Bullshit items were the alleged justification for pulling the car over. The court held that air fresheners, rosaries and pro police stickers could be construed as indicators of criminal activity.

Would you believe!

We are edging closer and closer to becoming a police state.

Ignition key works. My back does not. Sciatica. Wow! No anti-gravity treadmill this morning. They say that today 80 is 60. I never had sciatica at 60!

Enjoy your day!

MECHANIC JUNIOR GRADE

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!