HAVE A GOOD DAY

I came across a quotable quote. I want to share it with you. Sensible……It’s a good day to have a good day.

May we all!

Daytime typical yesterday. A haircut with Lori. Followed by lunch at Sandy’s Cafe. Sandy’s has changed its name. Now, Fernandy’s.

Then a major event. I voted! A good crowd. Everyone quiet and serious.

As I was leaving, one of the clerks handed me a stickum. Said: I voted. I wore it with pride on my shirt all afternoon. I felt differently about voting this year. Perhaps because I hope we will be taking our country back.

Not wanting to run into Parrotheads again at the Chart Room, I headed directly to Blue Macaw in the evening. The place was crowded. I knew no one.

Blue Macaw has changed its Happy Hour time. During the summer, it was from 4 to 9. Now, ends at 7. By 7:30 the bar was desolate. I was all alone.

When Happy Hour ended at 9, the bar was still packed till 11.

Which way makes more money? Stop at 7 or 9. I don’t know. The proprietor must.

I read somewhere that the Casa Marina had opened a new bar. The HFM Sidecar. Peter Diamond was performing. Interested in seeing the new bar and hearing Peter sing motivated me to drive to the Casa Marina.

Was it busy! Parking lot traffic off the wall. No room for me. Where were all these people coming from? Then it dawned on me. The Casa Marina is the headquarters every year for the Parrothead Convention.

I did not think I could handle it. Went home.

Glad I did not opt to park 4 blocks away. I would have been disappointed. This morning’s paper indicates the HFM Sidebar will not open till monday night.

Andrew Gillum was in Key West yesterday morning. The Democratic candidate for Governor. He spoke on Higgs Beach behind Salute’s. Five hundred in attendance. The thrust of Gillum’s talk unity and progress.

I voted for Gillum yesterday. His opponent Donald Trump in every respect.

I missed the talk. Had to get the blog out. Seeing a candidate in person does not appear as important these days as years ago. Television brings the candidate and event to us several times during a day.

David Wolkowsky was a friend. Better stated, I was an admirer of David Wolkowsky. One of the best acquaintances made in my life time.

The November 1 edition of Keys Weekly ran an excellent article involving Jimmy Buffett and David Wolkowsky. Sarah Thomas wrote it. Titled: Streets You Know By Heart. It was actually the result of a personal interview she had with Buffett. Outstanding!

Wolkowsky is mentioned many times. Probably because he and Buffett were close friends. Wolkowsky gave Buffett his start at the Chart Room back in the late 1960’s.

The article the best I have read re the Wolkowsky/Buffett relationship. Very personal. A job well done by Sarah Thomas.

Trump the bully ranting and raving yesterday. Made it very clear that if any rocks are thrown at the soldiers he is bringing in to defend the border, the rocks will be considered rifles. The military will be authorized to shoot their guns in retaliation.

A horse’s ass! The U.S. Army not permitted to utilize weapons within U.S. borders. The law is the Posse Comitatus Act.

Suppose a kid throws a stone. Seven or eight years old. The soldier going to shot the youngster?

All madness!

A recent study by eminent scientists made an alarming report re climate change. Ocean waters are heating 60 percent faster than thought.

Key West loves Harry Truman and Harry Truman loved Key West.

On this day in 1948, Truman defeated New York Governor Thomas Dewey for the Presidency by a little more than 2 million votes.

Truman was the underdog throughout the campaign. Not expected to win. His victory a surprise.

The Chicago Tribune was so sure of a Dewey victory that it put out on the streets around midnight the next day’s paper with the bold  headline: DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.

H.V. Kaltenborn one of the country’s most respected radio commentators at the time. His voice unique. He announced late on election night: Dewey has defeated Truman.

It was a different day when everyone woke the next morning.

Truman was literally defecated upon throughout the campaign. A mere farmer, he was considered to have been  lucky to have had three years as President because of Roosevelt’s death.

Truman was a fighter. He took everyone on during the campaign.

Campaigns in those days were from the platform on the last car of a train. Truman went on an extensive campaign train trip. Became known as Truman’s “whistle stop” campaign. The thrust of his campaign was that the country had some problems because of a “do nothing Congress.” The country obviously agreed.

I was at one of the whistle stops. Thirteen and in the 8th grade. Myself and two buddies rode our bicycles to the railroad station to see the President. A huge crowd. We were so far back, we could see nothing. So we did what young kids are apt to do. We rode our bikes to the rear of the train directly in front of the crowd and in front of Truman. No more than 3-4 feet from him.

I enjoyed one more experience with the election. It was 1960. I was a senior in law school at Syracuse University. Truman was at the University for 2 days for various talks.

The University arranged a private luncheon for 12 purportedly outstanding students to lunch with Truman. Twelve out of 35,000. I was selected to represent the law school.

Two round tables set for the luncheon. Name cards as to where we would sit. Mine was immediately to the right of Truman. Wow!

Following the food portion of the luncheon, Truman rose to speak. He spoke of his victory over Dewey. He was like a little kid. He still was thrilled he had whipped Dewey’s ass.

He had a copy of the Chicago Tribune and waved it for all to see. He also had a recording of H. V. Kaltenborn announcing to the world Dewey’s victory. He jokingly mimicked Kaltenborn when the recording had concluded.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

EDWARD, A HOMELESS PERSON

Today’s comments/reflections interesting. One involves lunch with a homeless person yesterday. The other lunch with Harry Truman 56 years ago.

Stopped at the Cuban Coffee Queen for lunch yesterday. Unusually busy. Wanted to sit. Required sharing. Not normal. I saw a man sitting alone. Asked if I could sit at his table. No problem.

His name Edward.

The man homeless. No question about it. Very few teeth. Dirty. clothes, hands and face.  His aged back pack on the seat next to him. His equally disheveled bicycle on the other side of the rail

I did not wish to bother him. Began reading the newspapers. He began the conversation by asking who I supported in the election. We spent the next 5 minutes discussing Trump and Hillary. Then he got into what I thought would develop into an interesting conversation.

It never did. For the next 20 minutes, he was stuck in the 1960s. His thoughts all over the place. However never leaving the 1960s.

I suspect Edward was a Vietnam vet.

Edward was eating. A sandwich and beer. I sensed the lunch was not a normal event. His beer was warm. I took the bottle to the bar to swap it for a cold one for him. No cold beer.

I had to leave. Handed him a $20 bill and said it was for tomorrow’s lunch.

Before lunch, I was at the heart doctor’s office. A test to see if I have blood clots in my legs. The person running the test said worry not. None and my blood flow was terrific. Like that of a young man.

I do not understand. The catheterization doctor said my veins and arteries were beautiful. The test operator yesterday. indicated basically the same. Why am I having problems?

Enjoyed doing last night’s blog talk radio show. Threw in a bit of local color at the beginning.

I was watching PT 109 before my show. John Kennedy’s World War II experience. I shared with my listeners that the movie had been filmed on what is now Little Palm Island. Twenty five miles north of Key West.

Kennedy was in Key West during the Cuban missile crisis. Was with then State Senator or Sheriff John Spottswood. Spottswood said that he knew a movie was to be made re Kennedy’s war experience. Told Kennedy he had the island for the movie. He owned the island at the time that is now Little Palm Island.

Spottswood’s island did become the site for the movie.

I slipped in the local color to ease up on the heavy politics of the past week. I did dwell at length on the Comey matter, however. Also spent some time talking about a new child paralysis sweeping the country and not being discussed.

Today easy. A pleasurable day awaits. A manicure at one and dinner tonight with Liz. Liz is cooking. French Lasagna – Ercole.

Received a comment today asking why sometimes no or limited politics in the blog. The answer simple. Some days I have had my fill of politics. I assume some of my readers, also. Another reason is the blog is supposed to be about My Life in Key West. Politics have become an add on.

Key West loves Harry Truman and Harry Truman loved Key West.

On this day in 1948, Truman defeated Dewey for President.

Truman the underdog. No one expected him to win. The Chicago Tribune newspaper that hit the stands before all the votes had been counted read: Dewey Defeats Truman.

I had two connections with Truman and the election.

It was 1948. Truman campaigning. Whistle stop campaigning in those days. From the rear platform of a train.

I was in the eighth grade. Rode my bike to the railroad station. Pulled up in front ahead of the crowd. Truman five feet away.

I was in awe.

The next time was 1960. Twenty two years later. Truman was visiting Syracuse University for two days. Giving talks, etc. One scheduled event was Truman having a private lunch with who were purported to be the 12 outstanding students on campus. Twelve out of 35,000.

I was picked to be one of the 12. I was excited. It was my last year in law school.

Seats for lunch were assigned. Mine was next to Truman on his right.

We had two hours with him. Spectacular! Exciting!

Truman talked about his 1948 victory.

He had a recording of H. V. Caltenborn revealing the results of the election. A national radio personality. Distinct voice. Caltenborn was announcing Truman’s defeat. Truman loved playing the recording!

Then Truman held up a copy of the Chicago Tribune announcing his defeat. His laugh filled the room.

Next, I would be writing installment 4 re the Key West Rotary history. My notes prepared. Covers only one year. However would run at least 200 words. Making this blog the longest ever.

I am holding it for tomorrow. I must discipline myself to write about fewer things or perhaps in less words than I do.

Keep in mind what I am writing about re the Rotary is true history. Happenings 200 years ago. Not only a different time. A different world.

Two items shared tomorrow prove the point.

Enjoy your day!