COHABITATION A CRIME

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Cohabitation is living together without benefit of marriage. Sex and/or passion presumed. Early in American history, cohabitation was a crime. Once in many States. Now, only three.

Florida is one of three. Conviction means a fine up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail.

No one has been charged and/or convicted of cohabitation in ever so long. An antiquated law. No one pays any attention to the law. Properly so.

Yet, Florida has been trying to get the law off the books for years. The State Legislature fails to cooperate. Another try is in the works this year. Why can’t Florida get the law off the books?

I stayed in all day nursing my cold.

Spent the afternoon writing this week’s KONK Life column Late Night Diner. The story of Edward Hopper and Nighthawks. A little Hemingway and Jack Baron included. The column publishes wednesday.

WOW, is it cold! Low last night 60. 63 at the moment. High today 65. My body picked a good time to get a cold!

Syracuse/Duke tonight. At Duke. Duke a 10.5 point favorite. I will be watching. I am fighting depression this season.

The World Almanac section of today’s Key West Citizen has a pointed quote by the French philosopher Baron de Montesquieu: “Not to be loved is unfortunate, but it is an insult to be loved no longer.” Right on as to a dumped lover or spouse.

I have three appointments today. Dentist, physiotherapy and doctor. Have to cancel all three. The cold controls.

Enjoy your day!

 

SUDAFED

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I bought Sudafed for my cold. Interesting how it works.

The pill is non-drowsy. The last time I took a cold pill, there were no no-drowsys for sale. The pill knocked you on your ass. Today’s pill obviously much better.

The pill is good for four hours. Then almost immediately, the symptoms return. A negative.

I will stay home today and continue nursing myself.

The only item on the agenda is to write this week’s KONK Life column. Research completed. Ready to go. Title: A Late Night Diner. The story of Edward Hopper’s famous painting Nighthawks.

Getting sexy with the column. I will run a picture of the subject matter. A first time thing. It will be a picture of the Nighthawks painting. Most will immediately recognize the work.

Crazy weather. Yet, typical January. Problem is we are spoiled. Januarys have been great weatherwise the past four years. This January a tough one.

You live long enough in Key West, you develop your own sensors as to what the weather will be. For me, it is the two palm trees on my deck. Maybe a half dozen times a year, they bend northward. Means the wind is coming from the south. A guaranteed storm!

Yesterday, the palm tress were bending north, wind from the south. Actually, southwest. I noticed this when the sun was shining and the wind moderate.

There is a tornado out there somewhere. Came up on Florida from the southwest. The wind started in the middle of the night. Loud! Weather reports indicate gusts 39 miles per hour. This morning cloudy. The winds still at a good speed, though less than 39 mph.

Weather report says high today of 79. Terrific! However, tonight it will drop to 60 degrees. Cold! It will stay generally cold the rest of the week.

I feel bad for tourists who catch a bad week. All that money and they sit cuddled up somewhere trying to keep warm.

Syracuse beat Wake Forest decisively yesterday 83-55. Duke monday night.

Enjoy your Sunday!

PROJECTS MOVE AT SNAIL’S PACE

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My cold first. No better. Worse. Going to shower and go buy something over the counter to relief symptoms.

Key West does not get things done in a timely fashion. When it finally gets to a project, the costs are much more than anticipated.

Monroe County is guilty of similar sins. Especially in the lowers Keys.

The big news this morning is that Wal-Mart is closing 269 stores. More than half in the United States and a significant number in Brazil. Appears not to be a big deal. The cut backs represent less than one percent of Wal-Mart’s global revenue. Wal-Mart has 11,000 stores worldwide. The dent by reason of the closings insignificant.

A Wal-Mart has been scheduled for construction up U.S. 1. Not far from me and Key West. Everyone excited.

Where is the store? Construction not even started. Three years so far since the announcement.

I recall an article in the newspaper a couple of month’s ago that things were moving slowly. No one particular person’s fault. Enough guilt to go around.

It is a project in Monroe County. Monroe Country should ride herd on it and make sure things move. Enough of the excuses.

Key West the worst. The Truman waterfront property has been in the works 15 years. Ground breaking finally late last year. I do not believe any actual construction has begun.

Fifteen years has to be a record!

The Key West City Commission has the obligation to ride herd on projects within the City. No excuses. The City Commission is in charge.

I fear Wal-Mart is going to pull out and the Truman waterfront never gets done.

Between sneezes, a running nose and watering eyes yesterday, I researched for a column topic for this week’s KONK Life. Have not zeroed in on one yet.

Search your heart. Be generous. There but for the grace of God could go you and I.

Today’s Crime Report in the Key West Citizen tells of a 22 year old homeless person who was arrested in the 600 block of Duval yesterday for panhandling. He had $1,000 in cash in his pocket.

Syracuse plays Wake Forest at noon. I have no idea who will win.

Cruz’s $1 million loan from Goldman Sachs has come under scrutiny. Trump says he feels sorry for Cruz. However, the matter should be investigated and he hopes Cruz has no problem.

Cruz is not that old. I was not aware he was so rich he could borrow $1 million dollars and do it on margin. A high roller. Or, something amiss.

My concern is Trump and his banking. He has borrowed everywhere and in voluminous amounts. His projects very costly. The media should look into his banking record.

Fair is fair.

Enjoy your day!

SEASON NEAR YEAR LONG

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When I first started visiting Key West 26 years ago, the season was February 15 to the end of Easter week. Key West has come a long way! The season now almost year long.

The town was dead from January 1 to February 15. Then dead only to February 1. Now, January jumping. Part of the season.

The Proof of the pudding is this January. It started before Christmas and has not stopped. Tons of visitors.

The season is really here when locals have to call for a reservation. I went to Tavern ‘n Town last night for dinner. 6:15. Not a seat in the bar or in the bar area. I did not want to drive downtown because the problem would be the same.

I went to the hostess desk. I could hear one hostess saying to a couple an hour to hour and a half wait.

Screwed!

Fortunately, Tavern ‘n Town Restaurant Manager Marcus walked up. I quietly asked Marcus if he could help, pointing out there was no room at the bar. The hostess went to interrupt him. He gently put up his hand to her and me. The message was clear. He would take care of it. He did. I was taken to a lovely table in the new dining room.

I have lived in Key West long enough to know a reservation is required during season. It was my fault if I could not be seated. It was nice that Marcus recognized I was a regular customer. I eat at Tavern ‘n Town at least two nights a week. Sometimes, three.

Ran into Tino at Tavern ‘n Town. We hugged. He will be here a couple of weeks.

I am going to the opera tonight. At The studios of Key West. I have been to only one opera in my life. Did not enjoy it. Not understanding the language one of the problems.

Two reasons why I am going tonight. The opera is in English. Second, the topic interesting. Concerns two Arab ladies married to the same man in a Muslim country. The every day lives of the two ladies.

I am excited about the opera. There is much to learn about Muslim customs. The opera is titled A Thousand Splendid Suns.

My plan is to have dinner afterwards at Hot Tin Roof. I will call for a reservation.

My sole outing day wise yesterday was to use the anti-gravity treadmill. Dave using it also. Always good to see Dave.

I spent the afternoon at home being lazy.

Syracuse played Boston College last night. Syracuse won 60-42. Expected, but not certain this year.

Cold yesterday. Cold last night. Kept the heat on. Raining now. The day supposed to warm up. To around 75 degrees.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

BOMB THREAT AGAIN

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There was a bomb threat at the Key West High School yesterday morning. The second in a month. Telephoned in again.

Authorities investigated the auditorium first. It was deemed safe. Students and faculty were immediately secured in the auditorium. Two persons were injured in the move.

No bomb was found. Classes resumed.

Some nut or nuts is having fun. Sick fun. My concern is that another type nut will enter the scene. One who will plant a bomb. One crazy encourages another.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Then to Walgreens. A prescription pick up. Publix for a few items.

I was home by one. No TV, computer or house phone. All on Comcast. Comcast down. Did not come on till 4.

Difficult to live without TV and computer. I had some fine tuning remaining for last night’s show. Needed the computer. Could not do it till after 4. Fortunately, there was not much to do.

I wish Comcast was required to pay us for down time. Take something off our monthly bills. Comcast shows no mercy. They are difficult to do business with. Good luck in trying to talk to a human on the telephone. Impossible to complain.

Last night’s show went fine. Only one problem. My show is at 9. The President’s State of the Union address began at 9. I am sure he took more listeners from me than I him.

Watched the last half hour of the President’s State of the Union after my show concluded. You cannot take it away from Obama. He speaks well.

Hurried over to Hogfish for a quick bite around 6:30. Packed. Snowbirds again. Found a seat at the bar. Between body heat and heaters, I did not feel the cold.

My dryer died. Time for a new one. Keith picked one up for me at Sears. It sits in my garage in a box. I assume Keith will install it today. I never learned how to do these things.

The weather. It is cold. We are into our winter. A typical January. Last night really cold. Dropped to 66.

I live on open water. My bedroom faces the northwest. The wind over the ocean comes from the northwest. It is colder than the cold on the land. It seems to permeate my walls. I was freezing!

Tried an extra blanket. Not much help. Turned on the heat. Was reluctant to do so. Glad I did. Within minutes, my bedroom and body were warm.

Going to be cold today. High around 69.

Syracuse plays Boston College tonight. Syracuse should win. Boston’s record 7-8. Syracuse 10-7.

Wednesday is my friday. It is also screw off day for me. I research and write steadily friday through tuesday. It will be a Louis day all day.

I am going to schedule a manicure and pedicure. That’s being good to me!

Enjoy  your day!

 

KISSING

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I love writing the KONK Life column. Immensely.

The topics can get a bit heavy. Too much heavy tires me out and I suspect my readers also. Ergo, every three or four weeks I do what I describe as a light column. Not necessarily funny. Merely soft and easy.

I wrote this week’s column yesterday. Since I had begun  the research Friday night, I was able to complete the column yesterday. A big deal! My Sunday is now free. All day!

Kissing the topic. The simple ordinary everyday connection between two humans.

The column basically a history of kissing. There was a time when people did not kiss. A time also when kissing was banned. Human nature being what it is, kissing survived. Fortunately.

The column publishes Wednesday in KONK Life.

The Syracuse/North Carolina game was exciting. Syracuse was in there till about three minutes to go. Syracuse rebounded and shot well. The problem continues to be the lack of a big man.

Based on the play, you knew Boeheim was back! His nine game suspension ended.

As expected, Boeheim received a rousing welcome when he stepped onto the court. Twenty six thousand strong. I was happy for him and at the same time sad. He appeared tired. Very tired. His hair totally white. The suspension aged the man.

Florida is once again engaged in a strange venture. The Second Python Challenge. 1/16-2/14.

Florida’s python population is out of control. The hope of the State is to maintain, not eradicate the pythons.

The Python Challenge permits man to hunt the pythons. The last hunt was 2013. All of 68 pythons were captured or killed. My fear is a python will kill a hunter. Gulp!

The State says even though the capture/kill number will be small, it is helpful to the State in determining their eating habits and paths of travel.

I believe the Challenge to be an ill conceived venture. Better the time and man power were spent figuring out how to get rid of the hundreds of thousands living out there. Most in the Keys.

I rarely buy a Powerball Jackpot lottery ticket. I did this week. Ten. Twenty dollars. Why not! The prize $950 million.

No one won. Another drawing this week. I will buy another ten. The ante will be upped. It is anticipated to $1.3 billion.

I think the lottery is a wonderful thing. Makes instantaneous millionaires out of those who were without. The winner can truly say…..What a country America!

Big night tonight! A date, dinner at Tavern ‘n Town and Bobby Nesbitt.

The lovely June Hudson returned this past week. We will be enjoying Bobby Nesbitt together at the Tennessee Williams’ Theater following dinner at Tavern ‘n Town.

A perfect evening!

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

BOEHEIM RETURNS

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Jim Boeheim returns tonight! The nine day suspension over. He will be back coaching the Syracuse basketball team when it plays North Carolina in the Carrier Dome.

I guarantee the Dome will be packed. 25,000 or more. Perhaps 30,000. To welcome back a man every Syracuse fan loves.

Syracuse the underdog against North Carolina.

The bocce league party is tonight, also. A huge event. Fun.

I have to choose. No problem. Not even close. I will be home watching Boeheim and the Syracuse team. I especially want to hear the roar of the crowd when Boeheim is introduced.

As usual, my yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Then a trip home to pick up some papers. I had to get to Lisa’s to babysit Jake and the grandchildren.

Lisa had some minor surgery yesterday. She returned home just after 6 last night. She is well. Still feeling the effects of the knock out drugs this morning.

Lisa went in at 9:30. I did not arrive till after 1. Jake greeted me at the door. Following our usual hellos, he went outside and sat by the gate looking up the street. Looking in the direction from which Robert and Ally would come after school. He sat there till 3:30 never moving.

Robert and Ally were getting ready for their tennis lessons when Lisa returned home. Eyes closed, she moved slowly to bed.

Robert and Ally are taking tennis lessons at 1800 Atlantic. I dropped them off. I could see the tennis set up. The courts have always been there. They have been dressed up.

It was close to 7 when I got home. I had intended to go out. However, I needed a shave and another shower. Too much work. I stayed home, watched a bit of TV and went to sleep early.

I did a bit of rummaging before bed to come up with a topic for this week’s KONK Life column. Nothing yet. Drew a blank. Sometime today, divine inspiration will befall me.

Judge Tegan Slaton died several days ago. His obituary appeared in this morning’s Key West Citizen.

I met the Judge only once. Two yeas ago during the bocce playoffs when our teams were playing each other. I found him to be a humble man. May he rest in peace.

This Oregon thing should be terminated. It should have been put down within 24 hours of having begun. The militants are holding a federal building on federal lands hostage.

The building is located nowhere in a vast wilderness zone. Boise, Idaho 200 miles away is the closest significant city.

When there is a black/ white problem, especially the ones involving a black having been shot by a police officer, the police are out in full force. Full equipment. In most instances, even tanks.

The whites holding the federal building are entitled to the same opposition. Recall the old adage…..What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Are the authorities reluctant to go in because the men in the building are whites? The blacks get billy clubbed and arrested on the streets of America. Yet those who have illegally taken over a federal building are left alone.

I have said it before. I say it again. Trump scares me.

He spoke last night in Rock Hill, South Carolina. A Muslim woman was in the crowd. She was wearing a hijab. Seated in the middle of the audience.

During Trump’s speech, she silently stood up. Said nothing. Never had a chance if she so intended. The news reports I have read indicate the mood of the crowd instantly turned nasty. She was booed. Escorted out.

My concern is that the crowd turned nasty. Trump’s supporters appear very much in tune with his views and attitudes. Especially concerning Muslims.

I have related the Trump campaign so far to Germany in the early 1930s. It now has moved into the mid 1930s when the populace joined Hitler in denouncing the Jews.

Trump is calling the tune. He is the Pied Piper.

Jeb Bush recently said that he was concerned for the Republican Party. Trump was not a true conservative. Bush said Trump had hijacked the party. I worry Trump is hijacking our country.

Enjoy your day!

IMMIGRANT RAPE IN GERMANY

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Anna in Novara, Italy e-mailed me yesterday about New Year’s Eve in Cologne, Germany.

A thousand men surrounded and were in the Cologne railroad station. Immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East. Average ages 20-35.

They raped and fondled breasts, the vaginal area and butts of women. Tore clothes off women. Hugged and kissed them.

Authorities believe the attacks were staged/coordinated. Similar though smaller episodes occurred in Hamburg, Stuttgart and Düsseldorf.

Merkel’s opponents are calling for her resignation. I doubt it will happen.

What has happened however is what many predicted would occur. A crime increase, including rapes.

My yesterday began as usual with the anti-gravity treadmill.

Then to Walgreens. I share a personal aggravating story with you.

I have been taking a particular heart generic for several years. For some reason, the prescription got screwed up. Two weeks ago, I went to pick up the renewal which my doctor had called in. I was told there was a problem. I asked for and was given a 5 day supply till the problem was worked out.

Went back five days later. Problem still unresolved. Received another 5 day supply.

Returned yesterday. Still a problem. I very politely explained the background, my returning, etc. It took a bit of time, but the pharmacist worked it out. I thank her.

I was given the prescription. Note, it is a generic. Cost, $2 for a 30 day supply. All the running back and forth over a $2 item. No one seemed to care. The drug store, insurance company, medical profession, etc., except for the pharmacist at Walgreens yesterday.

I fine tuned my blog talk radio show. Two environmental issues hit me wrong.

One had to do with Flint, Michigan’s water supply which contained lead. Michigan’s Governor declared a State of Emergency yesterday and the U.S. Attorney’s office got involved.  The whole thing has to do with money.

I discussed the Flint/lead water problem four months ago on Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

The other with male bass experiencing sex changes in the waters of the northeast. Eighty five per cent of small mouth bass had developed eggs where previously testes had been located. The same with 47 percent of large mouth bass.

Dinner at Roostica.

Watched Chris Matthew’s interview of Hillary Clinton at 7. Did my blog talk radio show at 9.

I am being interviewed today on KONK News re last week’s KONK Life article Political Sexcapades. 104.9 at 12:30.

Tibetan monks visiting Key West this week. Visiting everything. Some spending afternoons at St. Paul’s meditating and other things.

Clemson beat Syracuse in overtime last night 74-73. Oh!!!!!!!! Hard to take. I never thought I would see a bad Syracuse basketball team. It happens, I guess.

Enjoy your day!

BLOG TALK RADIO TONIGHT

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Tuesday means blog talk radio time. My show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Biting issues.

I did a TV show five years ago re untested rape kits. They are back in the news. Florida. Thirteen thousand. Nothing has changed in five years.

The reasons given why Florida is so far behind are a crock. Listen to the real reasons tonight.

Another truth session involves Henry Ford. In 1914, Ford raised the minimum wage of his workers from somewhere around $2.25 per day to $5 per day. Let me tell you the real reason. The one no one talks about.

Other topics include whether the economy is really better, how a ton of garbage is hidden in the new highway bill that have nothing to do with highway construction, a shopping mall brawl involving 2,000 people, and more.

Join me. Nine my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Dave there. I admire Dave. Ninety six and still plugging away to keep his body healthy.

A doctor visit later in the afternoon. I keep the medical and pharmaceutical industries in business.

David Wilson, mentioned in the past few days, and I had drinks and appetizers last night at Sq.1. Turned out David is a snowbird. He has a second home in Bahama Village. A retired school teacher, he now operates an antique business back home.

An interesting guy. A good time.

Syracuse basketball tonight. Against Clemson. Syracuse a 5 point favorite. Hope it works out that way.

Enjoy your day!

LONG WRITING DAY

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Yesterday was Sunday. Sunday is the day I write my KONK Life column.

I have wanted to write about the U.S. involvement in a war with Russia from 1917-1918. An interesting story. One few know about. The U.S. sent 13,000 troops.

The U.S. involvement was in a civil war. The Russian Civil War. The Reds/Whites battle.

We are involved in civil wars in the Middle East today. A lesson to be learned here. Ergo, I expanded the article to include civil wars and fighting wars to win. The Russian Civil War and today’s Middle East conflicts have much in common. Birds of a feather.

One problem. The longer the story, the longer it took to complete. Instead of finishing 3-4, I was at it till just after 6.

The time worth it. I was pleased with the final product. I hope you will be. The article publishes wednesday. The title: Stay Out of Civil Wars, Fight Wars To Win.

The extra time screwed up my sunday evening. I had intended to go to Kate Miano’s Gardens at 5. The sun broke late afternoon and it would have been perfect. There is always next week.

Rain. Heavy Rain. The last three days. Pours. Then stops. Only to return a couple of hours later.

The temperature is dropping also. The high today 71. 71 will be the highest all week. By weekend, the high will be down to 67. Long pants weather.

We have been lucky. December was terrific. We can handle a few weeks of cold.

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristoff had a tongue in cheek comment in a recent article. Something to the effect that if Trump wins, he will rename the White House Trump Palace.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are at each other’s throats. These Middle East wars are civil wars. Based on religion. It is the Sunni/Shia battle which has been ongoing since just after the Prophet Muhammad’s death. The issue is which sect will lead the Muslims. Over 300 hundred years and still not resolved.

We are crazy to be involved. We should get out. We have been involved steadily in the Middle East in one fashion or another for fifteen years. Not our war!

Read an interesting comment somewhere this week. Cannot recall which publication. I read constantly. In any event, the comment was to the effect that Americans should not fight each other so much. We are not enemies but Americans first. We help ISIS when we destroy each other.

Enjoy your day!