I WISH TRUMP WELL

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Inauguration Day! I wish Trump well. As much as I was against him in the campaign, he is now my President. Your President. May he be one of our best/most successful Presidents.

When he screws up however, I will be all over him. My right.

John Kennedy was inaugurated on this day in 1961. His words still ring in my ears: “The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans…..ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

My Volkswagen needed a tune up! It is a 2010. Purchased new in 2011. I have taken it to a Volks dealer in Miami every two years. This was the third time.

Only 31,000 miles.

The car really needed a tune up. The list of things requiring attention like my body. Everything. Dealer did not have all the parts required. I have to return again when I can and give him a week’s notice so he can order the necessary parts..

The dealer had the car for repair wednesday afternoon and thursday morning. Picked up the car at noon. Headed over to the nearby Merrick Park Shopping Mall. First class. Top shelf. I have been there before.

I was going to treat myself to some new sport shirts and shorts. Clothes are of no consequence in Key West. Male or female, generally shorts and a tee shirt or sport shirt.

I have not purchased shirts of quality for years. Time to treat myself. Neiman Marcue and Nordstrom. Three or four shirts.

My body is big in my old age. I am a 3x. Generally does it for me. Not this time. The finer stores no longer sell a classic fit for the big guys. They sell 3x. However its tailoring on the label is described as CUT TO SHAPE. Why would I want a shirt that was skin tight?

The staff at both stores extremely helpful. I was attired appropriately. Old frayed shorts, an old sport shirt, and Crocs that should have been replaced six months ago. They figured this guy needs a makeover. Everything!

Needed a shave, too. Looked terrific!

Bought nothing.

On the way back to Key West stopped at the Islamorada Fish Company. An early dinner. Stone crabs again. Delicious.

Sat next to the water. The view spectacular.

Key West and Miami/Coconut Grove two different worlds. Men wear long pants. Saw only one man in shorts. No females in shorts. Dresses or pants. Many men wore shirts and ties. Some suits. Real shoes.

South Roosevelt Boulevard may be preserved as it is. The Key West Engineering Department advised it should be left alone.

A massive Women’s March is scheduled for tomorrow in Washington, D.C. A similar march will take place in Key West at the same time. From South Beach to Mallory Square. One thousand expected to participate.

The bodies of the 80 plus whales stranded off the western edge of the Everglades National Park who died will be left to nature. The carcasses not removed. The carcasses will be left to fuel the food web. Scavengers such as vultures, sharks and crabs. Biologists determined this was the best way to handle the situation.

Syracuse/Notre Dame tomorrow at noon. Notre Dame ranked 15 in the nation. I doubt Syracuse will win. A lousy season! Nevertheless, my Syracuse!

Remember, my new commentary show begins wednesday. On Facebook. Go Live with Key West Lou. You will see as well as hear me.

Several bits a day. Thirty to sixty seconds. My thoughts on whatever as it hits me. Each segment archived.

I will be as close as your cell phone.

I am excited! Hope it is well received!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

LA LA LAND

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La La Land. Movie extraordinaire! The musical reborn!

Viewed the movie last night. Wow! That good!  A musical. Fact and fiction intertwined. Great acting, singing, dancing, and story line.

A tear jerker. My eyes moist more than once.

Stopped at La Concha happy hour first last night. Then a short walk to David Wolkowsky’s high in the sky home. Followed by the movie.

David the gracious host. What a man! Ninety seven and still going strong.

The party was to introduce distinguished author and Pulitzer Prize winner Robert A. Caro to David’s friends.

Some old friends at the event. Made some new ones. One of the yesterday acquaintances was Jean Carper. A distinguished authoress n her own right. Her books have sold millions of copies. They tell her readers how to use nature/food to cure ills.

Jean recently celebrated her 85th birthday. She looks the same as when I first met her 20 plus years ago. A beauty!

I recall 20 years ago when I had the head cold of head colds. Sneezing constantly. Nose always running. Felt terrible. Anti-histamines not in vogue as today.

I had one of Jean’s books. Looked up head cold. Jean said eat raw garlic. Two cloves every two hours. Worked! The head cold symptoms gone within minutes.

There was  a negative. The house and I smelled big time of garlic. My wife would not sleep with me that night.

Jean’s brother lives in Saquoit, NY, a suburb of Utica.

Met a Judge who sits on some sort of international court on behalf of the United States. Born and raised in Walton, NY. Upstate. Went to Albany Law.

The Judge’s wife charming and lovely.

After the movie, stopped into the Chart Room for a night cap. John bartending. David holding down his bar end seat. Always good to see David.

Actually, two Davids. Kentucky fan David who joined me at Jack Flats a couple of weeks ago. He to watch Kentucky play. I, Syracuse. We sat next to each other. Two screens in front of us. I watched Syracuse on one and David Kentucky on the other.

A busy evening! My mid day found me at Lee Nails with Tammy. My weekly manicure.

Tammy got her new pick up truck last week. She was all excited as we went out side so she could show me. A big one! Huge tires! Tammy is under five feet. I questioned her ability to get in and out. No sweat, her response.

Tammy’s driving around Key West will speak loud and clear…..Don’t screw with me!

This morning’s Key West Citizen front page reports that the South Roosevelt Boulevard issue is going before the City Commission tuesday night. Not a final vote type thing. Merely to get the sense of the community from Commission members.

The worst group to decide/comment/speak for the citizens of Key West.

The issue whether to leave South Roosevelt as it is or switch to two lanes. A no brainer. Most want it left alone. Four easy lanes.

The State makes the final decision. A State representative says opinions seem equally divided. Ergo, he wanted the Commission’s viewpoint.

I don’t know who the State rep has been talking to. Again, most want the four lanes left alone.

I wrote re the issue a couple of weeks ago. I stated that bicycle lobbyists were behind the move. They want lanes set aside just for bicycles. Don’t laugh. True. The bicycle lobbyist is one of the strongest in Tallahassee.

An interesting comment from William Hackley’s diary for this date in 1856. Hackley reported his concern that another Indian war was coming “costing more than the whole state is worth.”

The Florida of yesterday not the Florida of today.

Syracuse/Boston College at 4 today. Syracuse a 12 point favorite. I am back to I don’t know. A terrible Syracuse season.

Enjoy your day!

IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT

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I see it coming! they are going to “fix” South Roosevelt Boulevard. A fixing not required.

South Roosevelt Boulevard works well. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! the recommended move from 4 lanes to 2 is not needed. The wide sidewalk running along the beach is more than sufficient for walkers, bikers, etc.

I walked the walk for years. almost every day. different hours. Never had a problem regarding too many people.

What is involved here is change for the sake of change. The lets do something mentality where nothing need be done.

I fear the decision has already been made. I am aware there are public hearings ahead, etc. the players at the Florida Department of Transportation want it. Certain City officials want it.

The terms being bandied around sound of something new and magnanimous. Like corridor study, repurposing, optimal configuration, and future reconstruction.

It has been reported that South Roosevelt being redone is the final improvement recommended by the Project Development and Environmental Study.

I did not even know a change was contemplated till a couple of months ago. This Project development thing makes me suspect it has been out there for years.

It is time for the City Commission to stand up and do the right thing. Instead of succumbing. Commissioner Kaufman has already indicated the reconstruction sounds good. Time for him to move over on the side of the people. Most of decisions thus far not the best.

My first stop last night was Office Max. I need earphones for the computer. Many earphones. Blew my mind. Too complicated. the sales person was no help. she knew less than me.

I bought nothing. called Sloan and told her to buy the right one.

Why the earphones?

I soon will be doing another show. Yes, one on top of what I do already.

It will be a streaming in effect on You Tube. Several times a day. Roughly 30-60 seconds. One topic/issue. As the day progresses and I see something worth mentioning, I will sit down and get it out. Easy. No big deal.

I will be doing the show from my desk in my bedroom. You will be able to see and hear me. The shows will be archived so you can go on at any time and catch up.

Once set up, you will be able to find me by Louis Petrone. Key West Lou did not work because I am already archiving my tuesday night podcast show on You Tube under the Key West Lou designation.

The show’s actual title is Louis Petrone Says…..

I will let you know soon the actual date the show will commence.

I may even wear a baseball cap on occasion.

Stopped at Duval Square to view Larry Blackburn’s photo exhibit. Spectacular!

Larry also has a hat and Ecuadorian store at 510 Fleming. Interesting items available.

Finally, Berlin’s. Dinner at the bar. No Bria. She was in a wedding. The food continues to be great. I enjoyed lobster and mushroom risotto.

A group came in. Ordered drinks. One of the men asked for…..Diet. The bartender looked at him. The patron responded to the blank look…..This is how I work out. Diet! Meaning diet soda, of course.

Great diet!

Christmas Parade tonight. The best! I will watch at Don’s Place and at the County Office Building. First with friends and then to join the grandkids.

Syracuse/North Florida at 4 today. No comment, other than I suspect Syracuse will win. Not sure these days.

Enjoy your day!

 

IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT

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Insanity sometimes prevails in the halls of government. Change for the sake of change. Decisions without basis in fact made.

I am talking about the most recent suggestion by the State Department of Transportation to turn South Roosevelt Boulevard into 2 or 3 lanes rather than the present 4.

Justification is it will make room for cars, bikers, vendors and walkers.

No basis for the justification.

Traffic moves easily along South Roosevelt Boulevard. Parking sufficient. Probably the only place in Key West. Vendors few and those still here have plentiful space.

As to walkers and bicycles, who in Key West has more room than on the very wide walk running along the ocean. Whenever crowded, not crowded.

A new play has developed in the United States. Redoing roadways . Called “lane repurposing.”

We do not need lane repurposing along the ocean. Especially at Smathers Beach. There are many areas within Key West that do, however. The State should do its lane repurposing in tosoe places.

Again, the State wants to make driving, parking, bicycle riding and walking easier and less crowded. There are no problems on South Roosevelt Boulevard!

The City Commission is involved. Properly so. Except certain of its members are idiots re the issue. Mayor Cates and Commissioner Kaufman like the idea. They are of the opinion congestion exists for bicycles and walkers. I ask both of these gentleman…..When was the last time you walked South Roosevelt Boulevard? Rode a bike there?

Try it! Neither bicycle nor pedestrian will inhibit your walk or bike ride.

Kaufman is beginning to bother me. I do not know him. He is an attorney who successfully ran for his Commission seat. He is also an agent of change. Perhaps even an unintentional trouble maker. It seems to be his nature.

Change for the sake of change is of no value. A new idea is not necessarily a good idea.

Let this be Kaufman’s first and last term as Commissioner. He should return to the law and screw up the judicial system.

I fell last night! Again! Did a number on my body. My head took a beating in the process. A bump the size of a quarter on the back. Oozing blood. My head continues to hurt this morning.

As usual, I was not looking where I was walking. I was stepping up the one step to my front porch. Neither looked nor lifted my foot enough.

Dinner last night was with neighbor Andrew. Andrew owns the MTV house across the water from me. He is in for a few days from his present home in Zürich. He called and said lets go to dinner. I tried to back off because of my diet. To no avail

Andrew took me to his favorite restaurant. The Cafe on Southard across from Bank of America. The vegetarian restaurant. I am not a vegetarian. I did enjoy however a piece of mahi mahi.

No alcohol. I am still on my diet.

This morning makes one week on the diet. I cheated not. Lost 8 pounds. All water, I am sure. But 8 pounds is 8 pounds. I continue on the diet this week.

Rotary reminds me of the tune Christian Soldiers. Onward Christian soldiers…..

The Rotary took hold world wide as well as in Key West. Its purpose to serve, to do good. The local has been so performing for more than 100 years.

The Key West Rotary considers all issues. They walk away from nothing. Seek knowledge from every source.

This is installment 13. It concerns the subject matter of the September 8, 1932 luncheon meeting.

The United States was deep in depression in 1932. The market crashed. Three years earlier.

William W. Demeritt. Chairman of the Monroe County Unemployment Relief Committee. He gave a report concerning the state of the relief program. Unemployment benefits for those out of work.

By the end of August 1932, the numbers of unemployed were as follows. White men, 473 married, 267 single. Colored men, 180 married, 83 single. Women, white 89 and colored 114.

Mouths to feed. Mouths fed.

Amazing that the statistics had to be divided between white and colored. The Civil War had ended 57 years earlier.

Enjoy your day!

GI BILL

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Live long enough and you become a part of history. I have. I will be 81 in two weeks. Many events reported today as historical occurrences are events I saw happening.

On this day in 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law the GI Bill. I have no specific recollection of that day.

The GI Bill made it possible for World War II returning veterans to purchase new homes and receive college educations. Those events I do recall. The years 1945-1950. I was 10-15 years old at the time.

The GI Bill provided low interest loans for home purchases. All of a sudden, new neighborhoods grew on the edges of Utica and out into the country. The birth of the suburbs. Homes generally small. Looked alike. Ranch or Cape Cod in style. A front yard. A good sized back yard.

The GI bill also funded college educations for returning veterans. It seemed like everyone was going to college. Men who might not otherwise have obtained a college education.

By 1947, veterans made up 50 percent of college enrollments.

There were not enough college campuses. Inner city neighborhoods suddenly became college buildings. Whole neighborhoods were purchased. Old buildings turned into college class rooms, libraries, etc.

In Utica, it occurred in the Oneida Square area. First, an old church became Utica College. Within a short time, a several block area had become Utica College.

I saw all this happening. I recall it distinctly.

I spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon fine tuning last night’s podcast. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Did the show at 9. I especially enjoyed doing last night’s show.

Two topics received emotional attention from me. Venezuela and the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass safe gun legislation.

Nicholas Maduro has been Venezuela’s President four years. An abomination! A failure! I have followed the man and his country ever since Venezuela ran out of toilet paper four years ago. Still do not have enough toilet paper.

They also do not have enough food today. It has come down to that. People are hungry. Starving a better description. Families eating every second or third day. And then only a piece of fat boiled in water. Soup of sorts. No bread.

Riots and fighting in the streets. People clashing to get food. The military and police guarding the minimum food supplies available. People being killed. One a four year old boy.

Why Venezuelans do not revolt, I do not understand.

The U.S. Senate failure speaks for itself. Four failed votes monday night. Mass gun killings will continue in our country.

The sad thing is that the NRA controls/owns our elected officials.

What sticks in my craw is that a person on a terrorist list cannot fly. Yet that same person can buy a gun. A gun that could subsequently be used in a mass killing.

Events can be exciting. One occurred yesterday in Key West. I missed it.

Several Cubans landed on the beach on South Roosevelt Boulevard. Across from the Best Western. Only one could speak a bit of English. Key Westers and Best Western staff went to work assisting our new neighbors. Food and water provided. Hands of welcome offered.

It was a dangerous three day trip Cuba to Key West. They made it. I hope they make it in the U.S. also. May their lives be rich and fulfilling.

Candidates announcing to run for the Key West Mosquito Control District board. I short cut the title and refer to it as the Mosquito Control Board.

Ollie Kofoid running. Ran the last time. Lost. Hope he wins this time. His type is needed.

Ollie has an environmental degree. He understands mosquito problems. Especially, the genetically modified mosquitoes the board is trying to shove down our throats.

Ollie is opposed. He has knocked on my door and other doors several times the past two year explaining the dangers involved in the testing of the genetically modified mosquitoes.

I am with you, Ollie!

Cocktail time tonight with Mark Watson at Aqua’s Back Door Bar. Fun time!

The cupboard is bare again. Nothing new. Need to shop today. My breakfast consisted of grapefruit and a cup of tea. Plus, a Chinese fortune cookie. Left over from my delivered Chinese dinner the other night.

The fortune: It’s not only important to add years to your life, but to add life to your years.

To add life to your years…..How true! I try!

Enjoy your day!

MIDSUMMER’S EVE CELEBRATION

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Dancing and frivolity of old will exist once again tomorrow evening in Key West. At East Martello. Midsummer’s Night Dream & Spectacle. In its ninth year.

The show, though proper in every respect, is a throwback to pagan days when the beginning of summer was celebrated with  big time partying. Way before Shakespeare’s time.

The show is Michael Shield’s baby. The originator nine years ago, he has continued to produce the event every year. Co-producer is the Key West Art & Historical Society.

My dear friend Jenna Stauffer is the emcee. I can visualize her in days of old. Prancing around in her fairy wings, tip toeing through the tulips. Orchestration by Skipper Kripitz. Perhaps the most honorable man in Key West. Singers include Larry Smith and Kathleen Peace. I love Kathleen! I love her singing! The walls of the East Martello Fort will shake during her performance.

My day yesterday began with a noon walk along the Atlantic Ocean. In the heat of the day. Not the best time. However, I did it. Then to the Cuban Coffee Queen for Cuban cheese toast and Cuban coffee.

Steve Braddock is a care giving Key Wester. He is a Catholic priest. He is active in assisting the homeless. A Saint Francis.

He is pissed off. The Lower Keys Medical Center claims he owes a balance for a hospital stay. $1,975. The hospital has sued in Small Claims Court. Before suit and since, Braddock has asked for an itemized bill. No itemized bill has been forthcoming.

The good priest is aware from prior assistance to the homeless that hospitals have a tendency to overcharge. Dramatically. He is defending himself in court. I would not want to have him as an opponent under the circumstances.

We have genocide in the United States. I refer to it as American genocide. The killing of blacks by whites. It has been going on since the earliest days of our country. It has to stop. Will it ever? I do not know.

The last 48 hours have brought the story of nine blacks in a church bible class shot by a white 21 year old. The place, Charleston, South Carolina. The 21 year old, Dylan Storm Roof. The killings in cold blood.

During the shootings, he said…..I have to do it…..you rape our women and you’ve taken over our country, and you have to go.

Roof has a history evidencing a drug problem. His father gave him a gun for his 21st birthday.

Roof was obviously misinformed as to the black conduct he described during the shootings. Probably heard it at the dinner table from his father.

These shootings are what they are. Racial hatred expressed with a gun. It must end! Otherwise as I have been saying on my blog talk radio show, the battle will not be between police and blacks. It will be blacks against whites. A people will take abuse only so long. There is a new generation of blacks and they will not be as patient and forbearing as their forefathers.

Anna is in Camogli. She has a beach front apartment. Camogli is part of the Italian Riviera. Next door is Portofino. Home of the renown Silvio Berlusconi. His close friend Putin has built a home nearby.

Tomorrow night’s emcee Jenna Stauffer is my date tonight. We are going to dinner. Love Jenna!

Enjoy your day!