ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY

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What a beautiful place Key West is! Waking up mornings especially lovely. Sun, sky and water. Combined. Brightness everywhere. A God is in His Heaven, all is right with the world time.

Key West may be a little spot on the map. A tiny island. It tries to keep up with the times. I noticed something new in the Marriott Beachside parking garage yesterday. Three parking places for electric cars. A power cord hanging on the wall for each spot.

Observed something else that seems to be commonplace of late. Electric cars on the roads.

By electric cars, I am not referring to a regular sized vehicle that uses electricity in place of fossil fuel. The small open air electric cars. Ones that look like golf carts. A bit larger.

I have recently seen two.

The house next to mine is presently rented to vacationers. They have rented an electric cart. Apparently for the length of their stay. Every day I see them coming out of the driveway, driving up to US 1, and proceeding into the Boulevard in Key West. The other day, I observed it turning north on US 1.

There is also another vacationing family out there that has rented an electric cart. I see them riding up and down the Boulevard.

Generally, each car has an extra passenger. One too many. Sitting on someone’s lap or hanging on the back.

Disasters in the making! Dangerous! For other drivers on the road as well as themselves.

It was saturday night at Tavern ‘n Town. Went to enjoy Bobby Nesbitt. No Bobby Nesbitt. Michael Thomas sitting in for him. Another of Key West’s premier singers.

Thomas’ New York, New York outstanding!

I saw something unusual also. Three couples dancing in the bar area by the piano while Thomas sang.

It was a happy group of vacationers at the bar.

Omar Sharif died. Sad. I enjoyed watching him. He loomed large on the movie screen. Dr. Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, and Fanny three of his best performances.

I spent yesterday afternoon pondering what  my KONK Life column will be this week. I have to get it out today. I played around on the internet and did some thinking. Came up with nothing. I have about four more hours before I must have a subject. I will. I came across three items that are interesting. Not sufficient for a column information wise. Worthy of sharing, however.

One has to do with Jews. Anti-Semitism. Something which continues to grow world wide.

There was mention in my search of a World News July 30, 2015 article of anti-Semitism. Titled “Where Jews Assaulted in Europe, Anti-Semitism Drops.” Sometimes to a significant degree.

Is this type assault a cure for anti-Semitism? Can it be made to work effectively? At what rate are Jews to be killed to keep anti-Semitism at bay?

The world never learns.

Peggy Noonan had an interesting article in the Wall St. Journal yesterday. Prompted by Donald Trump’s recent comments re immigration. She said illegal immigration is a tragedy. An admission by a nation that it has lost control not only of its borders but of itself.

I close with decapitation. Someone losing his head. Not in the Middle East. In Tampa.

Police problems grow. Not only with blacks. Also with whites. Though more frequently with blacks. Whitewashing has accompanied many of the situations. The police held not responsible.

On June 28, a Tampa detective was driving an unmarked police car. The detective was responding to a robbery call. He hit a 60 year old white man.

He took the man’s head off. Decapitated him.

The detective never stopped. Rendered no aid. Kept going. Did not report the accident to his superiors nor make a record of it. Eleven days after the accident, the man’s blood was found to match droplets of blood on the police vehicle.

The detective is on administrative leave. No charges filed yet. Authorities claiming they are making a detailed investigation.

Two observations.

One is that if the driver of the vehicle was other than a detective, the individual driving the car would have been arrested immediately upon discovery of the blood match.

The other is that there has been little national news re the event. Sounds newsworthy to me. Why has it not received the media attention it deserves?

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

NIPPLE MOVEMENT

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A nipple movement! By ladies, supported by some men.

Active in Key West. Though I have not seen any results on the streets. Active also nationally. Nipple Movement has a Twitter page. 168,000 followers.

If I understand the movement correctly, it is to give women equal rights as men regarding public display of breasts. The right to bare them. Free the Nipple the cry!

I for one would not be opposed. Lets see ’em!

I joke. With tongue in cheek. If the women of America want this right, they should have it. Called equality. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. And vice versa.

Key West photographer Nick Dole is a leader/helper in Key West.  He photographs the nipples. What a job! Thus far 89 women showed up for Doll’s first shoot. He is going to have two more.

I recall ten years ago a national movement re the same issue. On a specified day, women across America were going to walk bare chested. A number of women said they were going to do so in Key West. The Police Chief said no. If you do, you will be arrested.

The ladies folded. My recollection is that they walked, but none exposed their breasts.

A pic solely of a woman’s nipples is easier to do. Assuming the face is not involved. Easy to be brave where identity is hidden.

Pub crawls are big in Key West. Though an excuse is never needed to drink. A pub crawl is an organized walk stopping prearranged at several bars. A drink, a tee shirt.

There was a pub crawl yesterday. To celebrate the Fourth. Called Bar Stroll Red White and Blue. In the Harbor walk area.

Last night was Tavern ‘n Town for me. Bobby Nesbitt time.

Two fellows sat next to me. We struck up a conversation. A good one. Lasted through dinner. Greg from West Palm and David from St. louis. Both originally from Columbus. They return home today, unfortunately. Hope to hear from them the next time they visit.

I spent the best part of the day researching this week’s KONK Life column. Calling it Illegal Human Trafficking.

Not what you think.

Brunch later this morning at Martin’s with Dee.

A big day in Greece. The vote! Anna failed me this morning. I have not yet received her daily report. She arrived in Santorini yesterday. I am anxious to know her further observations.

Enjoy your Sunday!

ANTI-GRAVITY TREADMILL, CUBAN COFFEE HOUSE, HUMIDITY, DUVAL, ETC.

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My yesterday. Typical.

Started late morning with the anti-gravity treadmill. A wonder! Then to the Cuban Coffee House for lunch. Cuban toast and a large Cuban coffee.

Walked Duval a bit. New Gap Factory Store open. Good size. Homey. Missed the phony hostage/guest house scenario which closed two blocks of Duval. Stopped at Tucker’s. On Duval near Antonio’s. Great sports attire for men and women. Pricey. Will go well with tourists who might not care about price. Doubt many locals will buy there.

Summer definitely here. I could feel the humidity big time as I walked Duval. This is only the beginning. Wait till August and September!

Last night, Don’s Place early. Don. Stan and Claire. Jeneane and Mary from the Pier House at the bar. Sisters. Lovely ladies.

Dinner at Tavern ‘n Town. Mood music. Put me in the mood. Mellowed me right out. Did not get the name of singer. He was busy talking with others when I left.

Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights bill into law in the 1960s. He said it would “…..bring peace to our land.” Unfortunately, he was wrong. The black church burning in Georgia a few days ago proof.

The Charleston shooting was June 17. Since then, a mere two weeks, there have been seven black church fires in the South. All but two have already been declared not arson. The two, hate crimes.

I do not buy the results. The non arson ones. The judgment in each case was made by a local fire chief and department. Like the early cops shooting blacks. A Chief and Prosecutor evaluating whether the police shooting was justified.

These cases should all be investigated by top notch experienced arson people. They exist in one place. Insurance companies. They should be on the job immediately together with some expert federal officers to determine cause. The goal being an untainted report.

I wonder, how many white churches had fires during the same two week period.

Anna reports. Credit cards no good in Athens. Most merchants want cash. Will not sell without cash payment. ATM machines busy this morning. Nowhere near the crowds of yesterday morning.

Everyone is at fault to differing degrees re the Greece situation. The consensus is developing that Germany’s Merkel has contributed greatly. She has been labeled as self righteous. Also as having pushed too hard.

Would you believe…..Another Rocky film coming out. Rocky VII. Sylvester Stallone managing , not fighting. Managing Apollo Creed’s son.

Oregon legalized marijuana for personal use. Limited amounts, of course. The fourth State to do so. If anyone had told me in the 1970s and 1980s that this was going to happen, I would have thought them crazy. Similar to same sex marriage. Who would have believed?

Enjoy your day!

 

LOVE…..

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Big decision yesterday by the Supreme Court. One of the most important in years. Same sex marriage legal! Gays and lesbians may now walk through life hand in hand married, if they so wish. Same sex persons entitled to equal dignity under the law.

The decision outstanding!

My fear is that non-supporters of the decision will not quietly go away. Abortion and voting rights major decisions of the past. Abortion legalized in 1973. Voting rights/civil rights recognized in 1965. Still the wars go on. Anti-abortionists are still fighting more than 40 years later. Those seeking to take away the right to vote waging the war anew in recent years. A right all thought was sufficiently acknowledged and solidified  in 1965.

I hope same sex marriage does not receive the same treatment. I suspect it will unfortunately. Fifty years from now opponents will still be trying to eat away at the decision.

Such is the American way.

President Obama eulogized Clementa Pinckney yesterday in Charleston. The 41 year old pastor shot to death by a poorly informed 21 year old white. The eulogy moving. A masterpiece. Both in preparation and presentation.

I was moved to tears.

I found Obama’s entire church presence as shown on TV interesting. I saw the religious man. The black church his territory. From the moment he entered till he left. His singing and body moves said…..This is my church…..I grew up in black churches.

The President was in his religious element.

Staying with the President for a moment, his legacy is growing. He has Obamacare, Osama bin Laden, and two favorable Supreme Court decisions involving Obamacare and same sex marriage. No more at this point.

To be recognized as one of the great Presidents, he needs two more things. Two out of three.  An iron clad agreement with Iran, an end to American involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, and/or an Asian pact.

I do not know if he can make it.

Clinton was faced with a Republican Congress his last two years in office. Obama has the same problem. Is it a problem, however? Clinton got more things of value done with the Republican controlled Congress. Obama seems to be doing the same thing.

A good day for Louis yesterday. Anti-gravity treadmill in the morning, lunch at Roostica, a drink at Louie’s Backyard, a visit with Don, and dinner at Tavern ‘n Town.

Germany on the cutting edge! They have come up with a new type elevator. Actually an old idea. One that the world stopped using more than 100 years ago. Called Paternoster Elevators. No doors and do not stop at a floor. Jump on, jump off.

Sounds dangerous to me.

I keep following Greece. No deal yet. The issue becomes who will blink first. The Eurounion or Greece. I suspect the Eurounion. If Greece is out of the Eurounion, it will be the beginning of the end for the Eurounion. Greece has a tough road back regardless.

Prices remain strange in Greece. Dropping dramatically in Athens. Going up like crazy in the Greek isles. I do not know how the island merchants can sustain for long charging high prices. People will not spend the summer visiting the Greek isles.

I think I may have had one drink too many last night. If so, I was unaware.

I wanted to go into town early this morning. No way. My battery dead. Left the car lights on. Thank God for AAA.

Enjoy your day!

 

TROPICAL STORM ANA

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Hurricane season begins June 1. Somehow, a storm snuck in a month early. Tropical storm Ana.

Ana is presently somewhere off South Carolina. Its trajectory north. It is expected to hit the Carolinas with 2-4 inches of rain. Winds presently 45 mph. Could increase to 70 mph.

The first of the season!

My morning began on the anti-gravity treadmill. Love it! Three times per week the plan. Hope I stay with it!

In the afternoon, I played around with Growing Up Italian. Decided I might change the title so it better fit the stories. Was able to produce a chapter. A chapter I was pleased with.

The Songwriters Festival continues. Oh, so many people! Almost like season!

I noticed the increased traffic driving to the Chart Room last night. Word is the hotels and guest houses are full. Yes, 100 percent. Attributable to the Songwriters Festival. Some credit must be given to Mel Fisher. Some sort of annual event at the Casa Marina.

Jean Thornton has been lost to me for a week. She is probably busy at the Casa Marina with the Mel Fisher attendees. Recall that Jean found gold and emeralds many years ago on a Mel Fisher dive. Changed her life!

Chart Room full. All tourists. Chatted with Emily a while and left.

Dinner at Tavern ‘n Town. Quiet, as I suspected it would be. Everyone downtown for the Festival.

Yesterday was the anniversary of VE Day. I mentioned it in yesterday’s blog. As well as recounted personal memories of the day.

I was shocked at the number of comments received from others who recalled VE Day and VJ Day. Understand that those commenting are my contemporaries. Around 80 years of age. Each had one or more stories to relate re the Day.

Seems I hit a sentimental chord with my VE Day observations.

Our country’s Special Forces train in the Keys. Just off Fleming Key. Have been doing so for years.

The 50th anniversary of Special Forces is next week. On tuesday, Keys children have been invited to watch a demonstration by the Green Berets.

“Officer safety” has been added to our every day jargon. What about “citizen safety?”

Cameron won the English election overwhelmingly. The pollsters had predicted a close result. Many not sure who would win. Cameron killed the opposition!

The pollsters were wrong again. Wrong as they have been in recent U.S. elections. I have said before and say again it is because they predict as winner the candidate who hired them. Recall Romney. He and his people thought they were going to win based on their pollsters’ numbers.

Pollstering has turned into a he who pays the fiddler calls the tune situation. Immoral. Dishonest. No one benefits.

John Brown’s birthday today. The emancipator. A bit of a nut also in that he was an extremist.

I visited John Brown’s home by accident some 20 years ago. I was spending a few days at Lake Placid. It rained one day. I had nothing to do so took a ride. The roads in the Adirondacks go every which way. I ended up on a paved side road. Led to the top of a hill.

There before me was a tiny square wood cabin. Nothing spectacular. Humble. Some vegetables growing in a small area nearby. A sign indicated that Brown’s home was a national or state historical site.

This week’s KONK Life column 99 44/100 % Pure was linked to my Key West Lou Facebook site this morning. The Ivory soap story. www.keywestlou.com.

I am excited. Jenna and I are having dinner together tonight.

Enjoy your day!

 

AN EASY KEY WEST SUNDAY

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Can’t raise hell every day! Some times it is good to just lie back and let the day pass slowly. I did yesterday.

Late morning my lying around was interrupted by Sloan. Our work took less than 1/2 hour. I was not in the mood.

I spent most of the afternoon sitting on the deck overlooking the water and in the shade of the tiki hut. Back and forth. My time was not wasted. I worked on this week’s KONK Life column. Great title. Chimpanzees Are People Too. Shades of corporations are people.

An interesting article. There are those who believe chimpanzees and other type apes have intellect and are able to care for themselves. Such being the case, they should be deemed persons and entitled to the Constitutional rights of life and liberty.

What next? Beginning of a planet of the apes? Intermarriage permissible? The issue raises many interesting questions.

My bottom line was the courts are crazy. Beware. The U.S. Supreme Court said corporations are people too.

I watched a bit of golf later in the afternoon. A Ladies PGA tournament. They are so good! It is amazing how far golf ability has come in the last 15 years. For men and women.

Wanted to go out for dinner. It was Tavern ‘n Town. Very quiet. A typical Sunday night off season. I sat at the bar a couple of hours reading the Sunday papers and enjoying some food and drink.

I was home in bed at 9:30.

Enjoy your day!

 

BANKS AND WATER

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Water is the oil of the 21st century. Water is not only a U.S. problem, it is a world wide one. Demand is constant and growing as the world population increases. Supply is limited. More so with every passing day.

There is another reason for my water/oil observation. It has recently been reported that banks are buying up water sources world wide. Banks are pigs. Guaranteed the price of water will gradually increase as the cost of oil did in the 20th century!

It is amazing how this blog and readers tie up. I mentioned yesterday running into Stevie at Publix. Stevie was bartender at the Wine Galley for years. John from New Jersey forwarded a comment…..”As I recall, Steve the bartender used to get up and sing Cry Me A River when Larry Smith was at the Wine Galley.”

Memories. Unfortunately, the Wine Galley is no more.

A quiet dinner at the bar at Tavern ‘n Town last night.

Bocce tonight. It is getting tougher!

We are tied for third. We play the team tied with us for third. A war!

The Florida keys are running out of telephone numbers. Commencing sunday, area codes must also be used when placing a call. Even if local. The area codes are 305 and 786.

Big race saturday! A marathon! Saturday morning the Seven Mile Bridge will be the scene. From one end to the other. At last count, 2,100 had signed up. Probably many more before race time saturday.

It has to be hard to run the Seven Mile Bridge. Sun glaring off the water and concrete. No shade anywhere.

The police problem confronting us is not going to go away easily. The police are geared up. They believe they are correct.

There is a bill in the Florida Senate soon to be voted upon. It mandates that videos taken in private places and/or involving medical emergencies and deaths can only be obtained with court approval. And if the judge thinks the video would cause harm to reputation of anyone in the video or reveal personal information, the court can deny approval.

The proposed legislation will keep the public in the dark where excessive police force is used.

What is happening to us? Where did our country go wrong?

I have to hustle. Physio this morning.

Enjoy your day!

CONTEMPORARIES

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Happy Sunday!

I watched the Masters’ opening drives Thursday. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. They looked a bit aged. Palmer and Nicklaus definitely. Player could pass for a younger man. Palmer is 85. Nicklaus, 75. Player, 79.

It dawned on me! They are my contemporaries! I literally grew up with them. From early adulthood on. I am 79.

For the first time, I realized how I look. When it is your own face in the mirror and one you have seen daily for years, the aging process appears slow. It does not hit you as dramatically as it did watching the three golf greats. I do not look as young as I thought!

My day was spent doing further reasearch on this week’s KONK Life column. I will write it today. It concerns Iceland and Iceland’s treatment of bankers following 2008. Iceland did not let bankers push them around. Iceland went for the jugular.

My first stop last night was Louie’s Backyard. It had been quite a while since I was last there. The deck bar is one of Key West’s most beautiful locations.

I met Dan and Mitzie. They have been together five years. Dan has spent time in the keys about as long as I have. He is a retired Michigan marine owner.

We talked of many things. Especially, aging. We have comparable experiences. Like forgetting. The discussion was ultra humorous. I wish it could have been recorded.

Then it was to Tavern ‘n Town for dinner. The season is definitely over! The bar empty. I enjoyed some good food and Bobby Nesbitt. Judy was her usual lovely self.

I was supposed to have dinner with Donna and Terri. They backed out at the last moment.

Walgreens in the news! Walgreens plans to close 200 stores this year. Not sure where yet. Walgreens recently merged with a European drug retailer.

Walgreens is the largest U.S. drug chain. Were you aware? I was not.

Tom Cotton in  the news again. He is on a roll since his Iran letter. He was on a TV talk show yesterday. One of his brilliant comments was to the effect we should bomb Iran now and destroy its nuclear danger once and for all. He failed to see value in the negotiation process.

Cotton is 37. He speaks like a 20 year old. He worries me. Especially since he is being groomed as Presidential timber.

I am reading Elizabeth Warren’s most recent book. A Fighting Chance. I am about two-thirds through it. Great reading!

Warren is one smart woman. Comes from a humble background. Never intended to be where she is. Her efforts over the years and her ability to get things done continue to be recognized. No question in my mind, she will be a serious candidate after Hillary is done.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

PALM SUNDAY

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Palm Sunday is significant in most Christian churches. It was in the Catholic Church I knew.

Key West probably never had a problem with palm sufficiency. Up north in Utica, I can recall a time when palms were scarce for some reason. Either costly or unavailable. Instead of getting all the palms you wanted at Mass, one had to settle for a single branch.

Palm Sunday was special in the Italian tradition. Palms were exchanged. Family and friends would come to our house and exchange palms with us. Followed by coffee. We went to certain homes and exchanged palms.

It was family dinner time! In and of itself should not have excited me. Every Sunday was family dinner time at my grandparents’.

I had an uncle who was talented in manipulating the palm branches. He could make crosses of all sizes, little hats, etc. It was always good to see him as I would walk away with a lot of “loot”.

The celebration of Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palm branches were placed in his path.

When palms were plentiful, my neighborhood Catholic Church had many palms left over. When the shortage hit, I assume they kept some. The reason being that this year’s left over palms are needed for the next year’s Ash Wednesday. The left over palms burned. The ashes used to put  thumbprints on the foreheads of the faithful.

This morning’s Key West Citizen’s Keys History section carries a post card picture of  Little White House and Naval Station circa 1910. What a difference from today

The Little White House had an excellent ocean view. There were no buildings between the Little White House and ocean. Condos, other buildings and the boardwalk  not yet built. The water was a short uninterrupted walk out the back door of the Little White House.

I spent yesterday afternoon researching this week’s KONK Life column. About things most people are not aware, but should know. I will write the column today. I have not decided on a title yet.

Last night was me and a busy Key West. Tourist driven.

I went for dinner to Tavern ‘n Town. Wanted to listen to Bobby Nesbitt, also. No way, Jose! the place was mobbed. Not a bar stool available. Bobby said it was crazy. I agreed and left.

My next stop was the Chart Room. I figured to run into some people I knew and quietly drink the evening away. No luck, again! The Chart Room was packed. Very much so. No locals. I was not in the mood to meet and chat with strangers.

Turned around and walked over to the Hot Tin Roof. Same situation. Tons of tourists. No problem, however, a table in the bar area was waiting.

Spoke with Joseph a bit. Joseph is the Hot Tin Roof manager. He is also the warden at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. A good man. We talked about St. Paul’s.

Then home. Could not sleep in bed again. My hip. Spent the night in the recliner chair. No problem. slept like a baby!

Enjoy your Sunday!

SATURDAY NIGHT AT TAVERN ‘N TOWN

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Tavern ‘n Town has become a locals’ hang out saturday nights. The food is good and Bobby Nesbitt entertains. Many saturday nighters are Bobby Nesbitt fans. Yours truly, one.

A lot of hellos. Last night Bob Frachette. A little later, his wife Lynda. Peter Batty stopped by. Besides being a businessman, Peter serves as a Deacon at St. Mary’s by the Sea. His religious dedication impressive.

Met two interesting gentlemen who were seated next to me at the bar. Cal Collier and his son, Cal Collier, Jr. The father now lives in Charleston, the son Atlanta.

The senior Collier is Calvin J. Collier. He was Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission under President Ford. Son Cal is a marketing consultant. I also sensed he might be a sport fisherman.

They visit Key West 3-4 times a year. Both love Key West. The conversation suggested they might some day buy a home in Sugarloaf.

They are staying at the Marriott Beachside and expressed their great pleasure with the hotel and its facilities.

Key West people in the making. Soon hopefully with us full time.

My day yesterday was spent researching this week’s KONK Life column. I have to get it to the editor today for wednesday publication.

The subject is Ho Chi Minh. Prime Minister, President, and military leader of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. His experiences as a young man and in early adult life especially interesting. The molding of a leader.

Since mid season, I have been mentioning Villanova as perhaps winner of the Final Four. Coach Jay Wright had put together a spectacular team. They only lost 3 games during the season and were a #1 seed in the big tournament.

Last night, Villanova lost. To North Carolina State, a #8 seed. An upset!

I caught Coach Wright’s comments after the game…..We were beat by a better team tonight…..they played better than us tonight. The emphasis on tonight.

That’s how it goes!

Howard Dean is a doctor turned politician. He served as Governor of Vermont. He has been a candidate for the Democrat nomination for President. I have wondered why Obama did not put Dean on his team.

I may have come upon the reason yesterday. Dean may be a bit of a loose cannon in more ways than merely ranting and raving.

Obama’s friend and former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is running for his second term as Chicago Mayor. The election was recently. There is a run off. Jesus Garcia and Emanuel. A David v. Goliath race.

Dean should be supporting Emanuel. He is not. He is supporting Garcia.

Emanuel is being supported by the Koch Brothers and Sheldon Adelson. Big hitters. Money men with the Republican right.

A strange election! Politics does make for strange bedfellows.

Enjoy your sunday!