No blog today. I have poison in my pen. Better I write nothing at all.
NO BLOG TODAY
ROBB AND JORDAN
The Chart Room last night.
The bar was empty when I arrived. A good sized crowd by the time I left. Nothing however like the hordes on the streets and sidewalks. The biggest Christmas week crowd I have seen.
Victor and I chatted about dogs. Victor has two. I do not recall the breed. Showed me a picture. Lovely! About 20 pounds each. We talked about love, training and other dog things.
It started to get busy. A young couple sat next to me. After a while, the male part asked if I was Key West Lou.
Robb asked the question. Robb is 35. He was with his lady friend Jordan who is 27. Charming people. Presently from Jacksonville. Both school teachers. Robb, high school math. Jordan, pre-K.
Jordan has a distinguished background. While in college, she was an All-American lacrosse player. Impressive!
Robb has visited Key West several times. This a first time visit for Jordan.
Robb says he reads my blog daily. Jordan affirmed his statement. Robb spouted out things I write about. His recollection better than mine.
Robb had prepared a list of places to go. Based on blog comments. A compliment.
Yesterday, they had lunch at Hogfish. Last night, dinner was scheduled for the Hot Tin Roof following our visit. He was in the Chart Room with Jordan last night hoping to find me.
The visit a great one. I look forward to being with them again in the future.
Two Key Westers on the front page of the Key West Citizen this morning. One’s story a happy one. The other, sad.
Happy first.
Bobby Nesbitt the Familiar Face designee. More than 40 years in Key West. A Key West icon. An entertainer supreme. I love hearing Bobby sing!
Sad next.
Former Judge Tegan Slaton died. He had some medical problems in 2014 and resigned. One, he fell asleep during a trial.
I met the Judge only once. The bocce playoffs several months after his resignation. Our teams were playing each other. The Judge was a member of the #1 monday night team. They had won the playoffs several years in a row. I figured they were going to kill us. They did.
At some point, the Judge came over and asked if I was Key West Lou. I said yes. He thanked me for neither writing about him nor dumping on him when he was having his problems. The Judge a class act, I thought. I thanked him. I never dump on a person who is down.
May the Judge rest in peace. To me, a good guy who met some bumps in the road.
Key West is a dog community. Thursday, the 11th Annual Dachshunds Walk.
Meadowlark Lemon passed on. One of the great, if not greatest, Harlem Globetrotter players. I enjoyed watching him play several times in the 1950s and 1960s. Generally with my Dad, which added to the experience.
My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Join me for a quick hard hitting half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.
Topics include the brewing Trump/Clinton sex war, warmongering pays, numbers showing the economy not really in recovery, a cashless society around the corner, transgender rights moving faster than gay rights ever did, IRS by law to use bill collectors rather than IRS agents to collect defaults, a Kentucky mall fight involving 2,000, and more.
Enjoy your day!
WHERE IS CITIZEN’S VOICE?
The Key West Citizen has its pluses and minuses. As with everything. The outstanding feature of the newspaper is the Citizens’ Voice. A column on the left side of page 2. Readers write in and express their thinking re various issues. Pro and con. Simple and hard hitting.
The Citizens’ Voice is missing from this morning’s paper. Why? What happened? In its place is an Associated Press article on how to make a particular cocktail.
I cannot believe the Citizen is considering discontinuing Citizens’ Voice. It works. Needs no fixing. Not broke.
My friend Sheila Cullen is a staff member at the Citizen. Her job is to prepare Citizens’ Voice each day. She selects what should be printed from the many comments received. She takes her job seriously. As Sheila tells it, she tries to send both sides to print. Her aim is to be fair and balanced.
I tried to reach Sheila this morning to get the poop. I could not reach her. Ergo, I write this column in the dark as to the reason why it is absent from today’s Citizen.
I researched this week’s KONK Life column yesterday afternoon. Research complete. I will be writing the column today between Meet The Press and the Syracuse basketball game and after the game.
The title: Political Sexcapades. The research off the wall. Politicians have difficulty keeping their pants and panties on.
The column zeroes in on Clinton’s impeachment. Not the impeachment itself. We all know about it. Rather the column concerns certain of those who tried to bring the President down and their secret sex lives. Sort of a people who live in glass houses should not throw stones. They all got their come uppings in due course. Proving that what goes around, comes around.
A great article! You will enjoy it.
Life returned to normal last night after the holiday. I took myself to Tavern ‘n Town. A good crowd. Locals and visitors.
Bobby Nesbitt entertaining.
Ran into Lynda and Bob Frechette. A popular and well liked Key West couple.
It is said that a successful man has a good woman behind him. The reverse true here. Bob is the man behind Lynda who helps her goals and dreams reality. We always hear about Lynda. Rarely, Bob. They are a team.
I am anti-Trump. Write accordingly. Mentioned yesterday that over the holiday I did not meet one person supporting him. Also that those supporting him are whiter, older, less educated, and more blue collar.
I received two strong comments. One from a Key West MBA who is voting for Trump. The other a strong / almost defiant comment that the writer supported Trump.
Good! I love it! This is what it is all about. Free expression, a two party system, etc. We are each other’s indispensable opposition. Think about it.
Syracuse basketball this afternoon. Playing Texas Southern. Syracuse a 17 point favorite. We shall see.
Sal Salerno is recognized as one of Key West’s artistic greats! Perhaps the greatest. A man of international acclaim. A several generation Key Wester. A true Conch.
Salerno died recently.
A Celebration of Life in his honor will take place tomorrow evening from 7-9. At the Gingerbread Square Gallery which Salerno and his husband Joe Birn owned.
I guarantee there will not be enough room in the Gallery and its Courtyard to hold the many who will be attending to pay tribute.
Enjoy your Sunday!
365 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS
It is the day after Christmas. Normally would mean 364 days till next Christmas. Not this time. 2016 is a Leap Year. An extra day. February 29. Ergo, 365 days till Christmas.
This Christmas holiday seemed exceptionally quiet. Nothing wrong with quiet. If you have not felt the quietness yet, I suspect you will by the time the weekend is over. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, followed by the weekend. Four days makes for a long holiday.
Yesterday morning was open gift time. Robert and Ally were thrilled with every gift received. As it should be. Gift opening followed by a long leisurely breakfast prepared by Lisa. Excellent.
I was home by 10. My Christmas over.
The news has been speaking of how warm it continues to be up north. It is the same in Key West. I am still in shorts and a shirt. Have not had to wear even a sweat shirt.
The weather this past week averaged 81 degrees. Speaks for itself.
This morning’s Key West Citizen reports that the average Key West temperature this year at 79.9 degrees. The hottest year ever. Consider at the same time that worldwide, temperatures have risen to new highs.
Global warming?
Harry Truman loved Key West. Key West loves Harry Truman. He visited Key West 11 times for a total of 175 days.
Truman died this date in 1972 at the age of 88.
The Presidential election has been less than normal. Thanks to Trump. The campaign has deviated from issues to personal attacks.
I fear that the campaign is going to erupt into one of the dirtiest ever. A down and dirty fight. Trump plays in the gutter. He brings the battle down to that level. Sexism is already a part of the campaign. I predict the campaign will become more revealing and personal.
People discuss the campaign. No, people discuss Trump.
Over the past few days, I have not found one person who is for him. Most emotionally against him. How then is he so far ahead in the polls? Could this be a year when the polls are not correct?
The Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson in a recent column indicated that the composition of the Republican Party has changed. It is now whiter, older, less educated, and more blue collar. Trump is leading them like a Pied Piper.
Enjoy your day!
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING!
Christmas is my favorite holiday. Especially Christmas Eve.
Seven fishes, Santa Claus, twenty plus to dinner.
The meal outstanding. Baccala that took three weeks to prepare. Shrimp fried in egg batter. Smelts. All to die for. Prepared only at Christmas Eve.
Santa Claus always visited. Just before dinner. For my children and grandchildren. He visits in Key West also. Dinner tonight is at Lisa’s. Santa will be there. He will arrive just before dinner.
I think Robert and Ally are conning us. They are 11 and 10 respectively. Still believe in Santa Claus. I find it hard to believe. Most kids know the truth by their ages. Friends at school have had to tell them.
Lisa will have prepared a seven fish meal. The food excellent. However, she has yet to hit seven. I think the best has been five.
Jake will eat well tonight! We are generally told not to feed him. Everyone does.
I look beautiful! I have eight blood scabs on my head. All visible.
Yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. It was work for some reason. Staff all dressed in Christmas attire. Friend Dave working out.
Followed the treadmill with a manicure. Tammy. The place was busy. Very crowded. Women getting ready for the holiday. Coming in without appointments. You must do me! Come back in an hour! Tension.
I was the only male. I had an appointment.
Then did Christmas shopping! Could not get it done all in one day. Two more items to get. I know what. Will be easy later this morning.
I stayed home last night and wrapped gifts.
How life changes. I never wrapped gifts when married. I have to do it now. If not me, who?
I need a woman. You already are aware for sex and cooking. Wrapping Christmas presents has now been added to the list.
The Trump/Clinton battle is warming up.
Sex is on the table. Hillary says Trump is “angry and vulgar.” A “sexist.” That he has “a penchant for sexism.” Trump countered with a threat that if we are going to get into sex, Hillary should BE CAREFUL.
It is leaning towards the down and dirty. Trump has thrown the gauntlet. Will Hillary respond?
I do not like the way the discourse is going. Trump’s fault. No question. Sex is not what a Presidential campaign should be about.
This week’s KONK Life column An American Christmas was linked this morning to my Key West Lou website. Enjoy!
Enjoy your Christmas Eve also!
CHRISTMAS RADIO SHOW
Part of my blog talk radio show last night was devoted to Christmas. A first time venture.
I enjoyed it. Hopefully the show was well received.
What I did was share some parts of this week’s KONK Life column An American Christmas. From the Puritans to George Washington to the Civil War. Threw in some pagan background. Particularly sources of Christmas things such as the Christmas tree, mistletoe, carols and gift giving.
The KONK Life Christmas column hits the stands tomorrow. It will be linked to my Key West Lou website thursday.
A dermatologist visit yesterday. My head looks like it has been through a meat grinder.
I spent time yesterday fine tuning last night’s blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Did the show at 9. As indicated, part of the show was devoted to Christmas. I followed up the Christmas portion with a discussion of homeless children. Santa Claus will not be visiting most of them.
The greatest nation in the world has just less than three million homeless children. They live/sleep in abandoned cars, in woods, under card board boxes, under bridges, where ever. They go to school unbathe and without breakfast.
Does not speak well for our society. Does not speak well for our governmental leaders who bear the most responsibility.
Today is the anti-gravity treadmill and Christmas shopping. Tonight, probably out with Don.
Note I did not get to Christmas shop monday. Here it is two days before Christmas and there is nothing to put under the tree. Trust me, I will get it all done today. I have no choice.
Syracuse beat Montana State last night 82-60. Syracuse does not have a legitimate tall man. Neither does Montana State. Our tall man was taller than theirs, however. Helped big time.
I could not get the game on TV. It was not where I thought it would be and nowhere else.
I watched the game on the internet. Streaming. The small screen a bit uncomfortable. However, I at least got to watch the game.
On December 22, 1860, Florida officials met in Tallahassee to decide if Florida should secede and join the Confederacy. They did. Key West as a practical matter did not.
There were a number of reasons why Key West remained loyal to the Union. One was that most of the people living in Key West were transplanted New Englanders and Bahamians. Key Westers celebrated the day the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, for example.
Key West became important preventing supplies in reaching the Confederacy. Forty Union warships rested in Key West waters. They captured or sunk 200 Confederate vessels.
Enjoy your day!
KEY WEST BUSY AND QUIET
I recently mentioned it felt like the season was upon Key West. Yesterday, I was driving into town for a doctor visit. US 1, the Boulevard and Truman were jam packed with vehicles. Traffic moving slowly. Especially on US 1 and Truman.
On the return trip, I decided to use Flagler to avoid the traffic. Surprisingly, Flagler was crowded. More so than when the Boulevard construction was ongoing.
Last night, it was the Chart Room and then Hot Tin Roof.
On the way in, I noticed many people on the streets in the downtown area. Not so in the Chart Room or Hot Tin Roof. Quiet.
It appears the tourists are here. However, not spending money. A proper observation for me to make. Key West’s lives or dies on tourism business.
I have mentioned the spending situation a couple of times this year. Nothing has changed. The tourists are coming in large numbers. Paying a big dollar at the hotels. Less at the bars and restaurants. They are buying pizzas and beer to dine on in their expensive hotel rooms.
Lynda Frechette! One of Key west’s leading persons! Sweet. Lovable. Caring.
Front page this morning’s Key West Citizen carried a large photo of Lynda and another smaller one of her and friends. Lynda was featured as a “Familiar Face.” Another way of saying an important person. Which Lynda is.
Tonight, tonight…..My blog talk radio show! Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Join me at 9 my time for a fast moving thought provoking half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.
Topics tonight include Congress opening the floodgates to foreign investment in U.S. realty, gun buying dramatically on the rise in Germany, Venezuela rejects GMOs entirely, homeless children on the rise in U.S. and England, the black cloud over Jimmy Carter, the Miss Universe debacle, Trump’s use of schlong, and more.
Speaking of schlong, I am not Jewish My understanding however is that the word can be used in several ways. The most obvious as the name of a male’s personal part. It can also be used to describe a loser or someone capable of being beaten. Though I am anti-Trump, I suspect Trump was using the later description of the word.
Never the less, Trump should be more selective in his choice of words. His gutter approach is distasteful. I for one would not want him speaking as he is during the campaign were he elected President.
On last week’s blog talk radio show, I discussed the TPP and its affect on the American shrimp industry. Thailand is a major exporter of shrimp to the U.S. and else where world wide. Cheap to buy. The reason being Thailand uses slave and forced labor. They either pay these people nothing or pennies a day.
Our shrimp industry cannot compete.
Even before TPP takes effect, major U. S. companies have been purchasing Thai shrimp. Like Wal-Mart, Kroeger Wholesale Food, Red Lobster, and Olive Garden. Chicken of the Sea shrimp sold in Safeway and Albertson stores contain Thai shrimp.
TPP is a job loser for the U.S. Our leaders never learn from the past.
On this day in history in 1860, an election was held in Tallahassee to determine if Florida would join the Confederacy. It was so voted. However, Key West did not join the rest of Florida. Key West remained basically loyal to the Union. Fort Zachery Taylor was important to the Union’s cause. Key Wester’s celebrated the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Key West remaining loyal to the Union was caused in significant part by the nature of the people living in Key West. Most were transplanted New Englanders and Bahamians.
Syracuse basketball tonight. Against Montana State. Syracuse a 17 point favorite.
Enjoy your day!
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
‘Tis the season to be jolly…..
My KONK Life column this week is An American Christmas. I went all the way back to Christmas’ beginnings in pagan Rome and traced its development to modern day America.
Christmas in Roman days was not as it is today. It involved all type of debauchery, rapes, killings, etc. An example is caroling.
Today groups dressed go home to home singing Silent Night and the like. In pagan days thousands of years ago, it involved naked people dancing around stone circles. In addition to going house to house. The frivolity included rape and other sexual abuses.
Since I had gotten my column out saturday, yesterday was basically a free day. The one exception was working with Sloan in the morning for an hour. With nothing to do, I did nothing. Laid around in a lazy fashion.
The Miss Universe contest. What a screw up! The winner was Miss Philippine. By mistake, it was announced that it was Miss Columbia. After Miss Columbia had been crowned, the mistake was revealed.
I suspect Miss Columbia will reap benefit from the mistake. Being second in this instance might be more beneficial that having come in first.
Sadness follows Jimmy Carter in his later years. Carter recently disclosed he has a terminal cancer. Last week, his 28 year old grandson Jeremy died.
Key West’s proposed Truman Waterfront Park has taken 15 years to reach the ground breaking ceremony which took place last week. A black cloud seems to hang over the project.
The groundbreaking is an indication things are ready to move forward. The first stages.
The City Commission has a new member. Richard Payne. A retired Florida Judge. An excellent jurist.
Why Payne wanted to get back into politics at the ground level by running for Commissioner, I do not understand. There comes a time to sit back, relax and enjoy.
Payne appears to screw things up. First, he did not appoint the Planning Board member who had served for years. He wanted to appoint his own. Technically, Payne had the power to do so. Not a popular move, however.
Now comes the Truman Waterfront ground breaking. Payne announces that the waterfront would make an excellent place to locate a Key West-Havana ferry service. He was aware there was an agreement with the federal government that donated the land to Key West that use of the water area itself was forbidden.
Payne suggested no problem. He was going to go over the paper work to see if the government was guilty of any breaches.
I can see another 15 years going by before anything further is done with the Truman Waterfront.
Payne should drop the issue. It is not feasible from a time perspective. I am sure other problems will reveal themselves if Payne’s move is continued.
Syracuse/Montana State tomorrow night at 7. The game is televised in Key West on ESP3. ESP3 is Comcast channel 7.
It took me a while to figure out. Hope it is helpful to some.
Enjoy your day!
MISSED DEBATE / FELL ASLEEP
The best laid plans…..
I had dinner with Jenna last night at Sq. 1. An early one. I wanted to get home in time to watch the Democratic debate. Got home in time. Laid back in my recliner to watch the show. Next thing I knew, it was 2 in the morning. I fell asleep and missed it all.
Dinner with Jenna was a pleasant experience. As always. She complained that she was 29 and next year would be 30. Mentioned 30 like it was a disaster. I laughed. I’m 80! And you’re worrying about 30?
Jenna is a talented woman. She has grown in her work. I enjoy our little meetings. She updates me on her progress. The good and the bad.
Sq. 1 was packed. Like it was season! Exciting!
I was especially taken by the Christmas decorations. In good taste. Just enough. I shared my feelings with manager Mandy.
It was Syracuse/Cornell at noon yesterday. Syracuse won 67-46.
The first half was terrible. Syracuse played poorly. You could sense Cornell smelled an upset. The second half was a different game. Cornell went on an 8-0 run immediately. I was disgusted. Then Syracuse went on a 20-4 run. That was it! Syracuse played top shelf basketball the rest of the game.
My basketball buddies are lining up. Dan will be here January and February. Don and Chris arrive December 30 for a week. All Syracuse fans. We watch the games together.
I spent considerable time writing this week’s KONK Life column yesterday. Around the basketball game. In the morning and later in the afternoon.
A Christmas column. An American Christmas. The intent was to trace Christmas from its earliest beginnings in pagan Rome to today. I worked with deliberation and got the whole thing done yesterday. My Sunday is free!
Learned something re Christmas I never knew. Where a red suited and rosy cheeked Santa Claus came from. Coca Cola. Would you believe!
In 1931, Coke wanted to be associated big time with Santa Claus. Its advertisers were told to come up with something that would go with the theme “Santa Claus Coke.” Coke thought a robust red suited Santa with rosy cheeks would be appropriate.
Ralph Nader was in Key West yesterday. He was on a cruise ship vacation and had scheduled a speech while his boat was in town. He also did a book signing.
I appreciate that in some circles Nader is considered a bit of a nut these days. He is. However, America and the wold owe him much. He stood up against the automotive industry when no would else would.
In 1965, Nader published Unsafe At Any Speed. An expose of the reluctance of the American automobile industry to introduce safety features in its designs. He hit Chevrolet’s Corvair hard.
Nader made a ton of money for himself with the book. Properly so. His work turned the automobile industry around. Safety began to be incorporated into auto design.
Nader’s book also formed the basis for several big dollar verdicts against Chevrolet and its Corsair. Many Corsair drivers/passengers had been killed or severely injured because of a design defect.
I repeat myself in this regard frequently: Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman.
The Keys History section of this morning’s Key West Citizen notes that on this day in 1949, Truman left Key West to return to Washington after a three week vacation.
Enjoy your Sunday!
KRISTI WINGER SZUDLO
Another great Key West evening last night! At Tavern ‘n Town.
The place was packed. I was surprised. The week before Christmas is normally quiet in Key West. Not last night. Tourists and locals whooping it up.
Ran into Frankie and Sandy. Sandy her usual charming self. Frankie told me he has taken up golf. Played yesterday.
Frankie is a top bocce player. One of the best. He was unhappy re his golf score. 135. I told him not to feel bad. I played 25 years before I gave golf up. I was shooting 135 at the time.
The best part of the evening was meeting Kristi. From Columbus, Ohio. She is in neurological medical sales.
Her 6 year old daughter was with her. The daughter was engrossed playing tic, tac, toe and drawing while her mother and I chatted.
Twelve years ago, mother Kristi was Mrs. Ohio International and Mrs. Ohio March of Dimes.
Did I mention, Kristi is lovely.
My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill at Body Owners. Dave there ahead of me on the machine.
By the time I finished, I was sweating big time. Water running down from my forehead. My tee shirt soaking wet.
I asked Jenny why my work out caused such a sweat. It was unusual. I am always concerned when my body does not react normally. Two reasons. It was humid. And, an unusal number of people working out at the same time.
Had to rush home. My friday KONK News interview. Don Riggs interviewed me re this week’s KONK Life column The President Could Not Spell. Theodore Roosevelt provided much to talk about.
The claimed data miss use scenario sounds like a lot of nothing. Clinton should beware. She may be leading, but everyone loves Bernie Sanders. He has always come across as an honest sincere person. The situation could backfire on Clinton.
It is despicable how the Democratic Party representative keeps trying to bury Sanders. He should be fired! Debbie Wasserman is reacting improperly also. It gives the appearance the party is all for Clinton. Which it is. However, the process should be fairly played.
Sanders getting screwed here.
The issue will come up in the debate tonight. Clinton would be wise to say immediately to Sanders, all nothing! I love you and never thought you and your group were involved in any type chicanery.
Otherwise, it will be the pot calling the kettle black.
Recall in the first debate when the issue of Clinton’s e-mails came up. Sanders interrupted and said he was sick of hearing it. Thus giving Clinton a bye. She should be equally generous this evening. Sanders’ sin, if any, is no where as grievous as Clinton’s re the e-mails.
I erred in yesterday’s blog. Last night was not Jenna. Tonight is at Sq. 1.
Syracuse plays Cornell at noon. A David/Goliath battle. Syracuse an 18.5 point favorite. However with the way Syracuse’s season is going, anything can happen.
Skaneateles’ Dan Riordan telephoned yesterday. We lamented re the Syracuse team.
Enjoy your day!