The last day of the year!
I welcome it! The holidays have been enjoyable. Fun is a better word! But the usual too much food, drink and partying!
I spent New Year's eve last year at Sloppy Joe's in Key West. As yet, I am not certain where I shall be spending this evening in Utica. I have options. We shall see.
It snowed last night. About 6 inches. Absolutely beautiful outside! The heavy stuff! The trees and bushes are covered. Branches bent over. Truly a winter wonderland!
And probably cold! I have not been out as yet. Not in a hurry to do so. TV last night predicted some day this week the high will be 9 and the low minus 1. Key West here I come! Next Friday to be exact!
We had dinner last night at Gus and Mary's home. Rocco and Mary Ann were there also, as well as Gus' lawyer daughter Michelle. Rocco and Mary Ann have a time share in Key West. Gus and Mary have visited several times.
Mary cooked a non holiday dinner. The consensus was we had all already eaten too much rich food over the past several days.
Mary is a great cook!
The meal consisted of broiled chicken and potatoes, greens and oil, roasted peppers covered in bread crumbs and Caesar salad. Desert was cheesecake and freshly baked pumpkin pie.
Oh how we deceive ourselves! So much for eating less!
And the drinks! Oh so good! I started with a gin on the rocks. Then had 2 of Gus' great espresso martinis. I finished the evening with a glass of fine aged port from his collection.
I was on the scale this morning first thing. I am on it every day. I lost 2 pounds! Excited! I had gained 2 pounds over the holidays. Made me paranoid! Was on the treadmill yesterday and the day before for 30 minutes. Watched my food and drink for 2 days, till last night. When you analyze Mary's meal closely, it actually was good food. Chicken and vegetables! I ate lightly. Had a sliver of pumpkin pie. Except for the drinking, I did well! And the scale rewarded me!
Drive safely this evening! Enjoy!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
I am back in the extermination business!
A visitor of the night! Dracula in disguise! A bat!
I do not know which is worse. A rat or a bat!
Anyhow the wife left the garage door and the door from the garage to the house open while taking out the garbage. And the bat came in!
We sequestered it in all of the the house, except for the kitchen. We were prisoners in our own home!
What to do? I have had 2 bat encounters in the past. So experience I have! Ugh! What a scary and lousy job killing a bat!
I also have Pete Aceto. Pete has been my landscaper/gardener for years and also recently has assumed the responsibility for maintaining the Utica house. It is 6,500 square feet and needs a general handyman's attention constantly. Talented I am not! And probably a bit lazy also!
So I called Pete. He had only 1 bat encounter and that was 15 years ago. So at 2 I was more experienced. Not to matter! I told him it fell under his job duties and was his responsibility. He reluctantly said he would come over. Reluctant does not adequately express his disdain for the job. I had to assure him however that I would assist. Two brave guys!
While waiting for Pete, I found a tennis racket. I read somewhere that a tennis racket is the weapon of choice when hunting bats!
Pete showed up. He had a fishing net with him. A long poled one! Turns out that is how he caught his only bat 15 years ago.
We agreed on a course of conduct. Rather I set forth the rules of engagement. Pete was to go first. A coward I am! I would follow with the tennis racket and protect the rear.
And off we went. We, rather Pete, opened the door to the center hall cautiously. We moved into the hall and the rest of the first floor quietly. We searched high and low. No bat!
We moved up the center staircase. We were quietly chit chatting back and forth to maintain our courage.
Half way up the stairs I spotted the enemy! He was hanging from the ceiling over the doorway to daughter Lori's bedroom. Not big. Not small. Medium size I would say.
Pete approached cautiously and very swiftly and carefully captured the bat in the net. He then quickly slammed the bat, still in the net of course, to the white carpeted floor.
What to do next? Can't kill it, even if we had the courage, as it would bloody up the white carpet. So we took a large towel, covered the net and somehow secured the bat alive between the net and towel. Pete then ran down the stairs with me ahead this time opening the doors. No back seat for me at this stage of the operation! Out to the street where Pete released the bat alive. Just as we do with fish in the Keys!
A job well done! We congratulated ourselves with drinks afterwards.
Last night we drove to Syracuse to watch my grandsons play basketball in a big time high school tournament. There was my grandsons' team from Utica, a team from Syracuse, another from Canada and the fourth from New York City. Big boys all! Some even looked like men, especially the New York City team.
My grandsons' team played the Canadian team. The Canadians were bigger. Even had a 6'8" shooting guard. That big and he did not play center! For a big guy, he was agile and good at that position. And when he opted to go to the basket, it was 2 leaps and a soft dunk. He only slammed once!
Matt started at point guard. He did well last night. Scored in the double digits. Made 2 foul shots with 12 seconds to go to tie and then put his team ahead. Pressure shots! And performed his job well in getting the ball inside.
It was an exciting game! While the Canadian team was better offensively, my grandsons' team was better defensively. Two times in the game the grandsons' team was down 10 and 15 points respectively. And they came back each time! And went ahead each time!
In the end it was nip and tuck! I thought it was won when Matt made those 2 foul shots with 12 seconds to go. No. Canada was fouled and scored one from the foul line. Things got messy. Somehow the ball was back in Matt's hands. He drove the length of the floor for a lay up with Canada all over him! As he shot, he and a Canadian player collided and ended up on the floor. The ref called a charging foul. The first of the game. I thought the ref was wrong. But I am a grandfather and that was the call. One or 2 of the foul shots were made. The Canadian team won by 2 points.
A great game! My grandsons and their team mates had nothing to be ashamed of. It was all a roll of the dice in those last few seconds!
I rapidly drove the 50 miles home to Utica to catch the 2nd half of the New England/New York pro football game. Watched the second half. Another great game! I was pulling for New York. But all in all, another outstanding sporting event! One for the books!
By the way, I have decided to take the garbage out from now on. To avoid another bat problem! However it is probably something I should have started doing years ago. It is that Italian thing!
A visitor of the night! Dracula in disguise! A bat!
I do not know which is worse. A rat or a bat!
Anyhow the wife left the garage door and the door from the garage to the house open while taking out the garbage. And the bat came in!
We sequestered it in all of the the house, except for the kitchen. We were prisoners in our own home!
What to do? I have had 2 bat encounters in the past. So experience I have! Ugh! What a scary and lousy job killing a bat!
I also have Pete Aceto. Pete has been my landscaper/gardener for years and also recently has assumed the responsibility for maintaining the Utica house. It is 6,500 square feet and needs a general handyman's attention constantly. Talented I am not! And probably a bit lazy also!
So I called Pete. He had only 1 bat encounter and that was 15 years ago. So at 2 I was more experienced. Not to matter! I told him it fell under his job duties and was his responsibility. He reluctantly said he would come over. Reluctant does not adequately express his disdain for the job. I had to assure him however that I would assist. Two brave guys!
While waiting for Pete, I found a tennis racket. I read somewhere that a tennis racket is the weapon of choice when hunting bats!
Pete showed up. He had a fishing net with him. A long poled one! Turns out that is how he caught his only bat 15 years ago.
We agreed on a course of conduct. Rather I set forth the rules of engagement. Pete was to go first. A coward I am! I would follow with the tennis racket and protect the rear.
And off we went. We, rather Pete, opened the door to the center hall cautiously. We moved into the hall and the rest of the first floor quietly. We searched high and low. No bat!
We moved up the center staircase. We were quietly chit chatting back and forth to maintain our courage.
Half way up the stairs I spotted the enemy! He was hanging from the ceiling over the doorway to daughter Lori's bedroom. Not big. Not small. Medium size I would say.
Pete approached cautiously and very swiftly and carefully captured the bat in the net. He then quickly slammed the bat, still in the net of course, to the white carpeted floor.
What to do next? Can't kill it, even if we had the courage, as it would bloody up the white carpet. So we took a large towel, covered the net and somehow secured the bat alive between the net and towel. Pete then ran down the stairs with me ahead this time opening the doors. No back seat for me at this stage of the operation! Out to the street where Pete released the bat alive. Just as we do with fish in the Keys!
A job well done! We congratulated ourselves with drinks afterwards.
Last night we drove to Syracuse to watch my grandsons play basketball in a big time high school tournament. There was my grandsons' team from Utica, a team from Syracuse, another from Canada and the fourth from New York City. Big boys all! Some even looked like men, especially the New York City team.
My grandsons' team played the Canadian team. The Canadians were bigger. Even had a 6'8" shooting guard. That big and he did not play center! For a big guy, he was agile and good at that position. And when he opted to go to the basket, it was 2 leaps and a soft dunk. He only slammed once!
Matt started at point guard. He did well last night. Scored in the double digits. Made 2 foul shots with 12 seconds to go to tie and then put his team ahead. Pressure shots! And performed his job well in getting the ball inside.
It was an exciting game! While the Canadian team was better offensively, my grandsons' team was better defensively. Two times in the game the grandsons' team was down 10 and 15 points respectively. And they came back each time! And went ahead each time!
In the end it was nip and tuck! I thought it was won when Matt made those 2 foul shots with 12 seconds to go. No. Canada was fouled and scored one from the foul line. Things got messy. Somehow the ball was back in Matt's hands. He drove the length of the floor for a lay up with Canada all over him! As he shot, he and a Canadian player collided and ended up on the floor. The ref called a charging foul. The first of the game. I thought the ref was wrong. But I am a grandfather and that was the call. One or 2 of the foul shots were made. The Canadian team won by 2 points.
A great game! My grandsons and their team mates had nothing to be ashamed of. It was all a roll of the dice in those last few seconds!
I rapidly drove the 50 miles home to Utica to catch the 2nd half of the New England/New York pro football game. Watched the second half. Another great game! I was pulling for New York. But all in all, another outstanding sporting event! One for the books!
By the way, I have decided to take the garbage out from now on. To avoid another bat problem! However it is probably something I should have started doing years ago. It is that Italian thing!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Good morning!
Yesterday was a good day!
My father and I had a long lunch at what has become our favorite local restaurant. 99!
99 is a chain. I am going to have to check out its stock performance. I am very much impressed by it. The food is simple. Typical chain stuff. We had french onion soup and boneless wings. Good for what it was! Service was excellent and friendly. Not Paradise Cafe, but acceptable. And the people kept coming in in droves! So it must be good!
Last night was a special evening at the Yahnundasis. The Yahnundasis is our golf club. Actually a country club in disguise. However being snooty, it prefers to be referred to as a golf club. And for those of you who might be unfamiliar with the origins of the name, it is American Indian derived. Utica is in the Mohawk Valley. From thence and the rest of the northeast, 6 great Indian tribes formed a nation. Among the tribes were the Mohawks (of course), the Iroquois and the Algonquins. Yahnundasis comes from the Indian language and folklore of those times past. I am ashamed to admit I am not sure what it means. Could be longhouse. Indians lived in longhouses. I will check and at some point let you know its actual derivation.
Anyhow.....the special evening was jazz night! I did not know when I went. But when in Rome, do as the Romans do!
An unusually large crowd for a Friday evening! Every one appeared in a joyful mood! Saw and talked with many friends I had not seen in a while.
The company, food and music were good. But jazz it was not!
And I was disappointed! And many others also!
It was basically quiet slow dancing music. For the old folks! Since I am an old folk, I can describe it that way! Again disappointing! Larry Smith and his Monday night jazz sessions at the Pier House it was not!
I spoke with Lou Giglotti. Lou is an attorney also. He was law partner with Nick Priori, the 46 year old attorney/friend who died suddenly last week. Lou is just like Nick. A good guy! And a good attorney! I enjoyed seeing Lou again and sharing a few moments with him.
Strangely Lou was impressed with my Key West Lou blog. After Nick died, Lou entered Nick's name into Google to see what he could come up with. Lo and behold! There was Key West Lou amongst others. You will recall I wrote about Nick last week.
Lou was amazed that I was able to put out a blog! My many years of legal successes have faded into the woodwork. Yesterday's news! Now I am becoming known for the dithering of a retired old man! Spelled out daily in his reminiscent blog!
Whether this change in impressions is good or bad, I am not sure!
Yesterday was a good day!
My father and I had a long lunch at what has become our favorite local restaurant. 99!
99 is a chain. I am going to have to check out its stock performance. I am very much impressed by it. The food is simple. Typical chain stuff. We had french onion soup and boneless wings. Good for what it was! Service was excellent and friendly. Not Paradise Cafe, but acceptable. And the people kept coming in in droves! So it must be good!
Last night was a special evening at the Yahnundasis. The Yahnundasis is our golf club. Actually a country club in disguise. However being snooty, it prefers to be referred to as a golf club. And for those of you who might be unfamiliar with the origins of the name, it is American Indian derived. Utica is in the Mohawk Valley. From thence and the rest of the northeast, 6 great Indian tribes formed a nation. Among the tribes were the Mohawks (of course), the Iroquois and the Algonquins. Yahnundasis comes from the Indian language and folklore of those times past. I am ashamed to admit I am not sure what it means. Could be longhouse. Indians lived in longhouses. I will check and at some point let you know its actual derivation.
Anyhow.....the special evening was jazz night! I did not know when I went. But when in Rome, do as the Romans do!
An unusually large crowd for a Friday evening! Every one appeared in a joyful mood! Saw and talked with many friends I had not seen in a while.
The company, food and music were good. But jazz it was not!
And I was disappointed! And many others also!
It was basically quiet slow dancing music. For the old folks! Since I am an old folk, I can describe it that way! Again disappointing! Larry Smith and his Monday night jazz sessions at the Pier House it was not!
I spoke with Lou Giglotti. Lou is an attorney also. He was law partner with Nick Priori, the 46 year old attorney/friend who died suddenly last week. Lou is just like Nick. A good guy! And a good attorney! I enjoyed seeing Lou again and sharing a few moments with him.
Strangely Lou was impressed with my Key West Lou blog. After Nick died, Lou entered Nick's name into Google to see what he could come up with. Lo and behold! There was Key West Lou amongst others. You will recall I wrote about Nick last week.
Lou was amazed that I was able to put out a blog! My many years of legal successes have faded into the woodwork. Yesterday's news! Now I am becoming known for the dithering of a retired old man! Spelled out daily in his reminiscent blog!
Whether this change in impressions is good or bad, I am not sure!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Yesterday was a better day.
It snowed heavy at one point. A blizzard!
I spoke with some one in Key West. The temperature was 78 and muggy. Here it was 37 and damp!
I visited my urologist. I had a finger exam would have pleased some of my Key West friends!
Good? Better? Not till the evening.
Last night was a fun time. Finally! My wife had a party for her side of the family. My son John, his wife and children also attended. My daughter Lori, her husband and son are in Vail so were not with us. My father and his friend also joined us. And my friend Gus and his wife.
Gus once visited Key West when espresso martini's were just becoming popular. He turned on to them and their preparation! He brings his own coffee and paraphernalia to properly prepare the drink. He is anal in the preparation. Measures precisely each portion going into the shaker! Only Sassy at La Te Da makes a better espresso martini. Gus is that good!
So Gus and I had an espresso martini evening. My father had a wee bit of one.
It was a good evening!
It snowed heavy at one point. A blizzard!
I spoke with some one in Key West. The temperature was 78 and muggy. Here it was 37 and damp!
I visited my urologist. I had a finger exam would have pleased some of my Key West friends!
Good? Better? Not till the evening.
Last night was a fun time. Finally! My wife had a party for her side of the family. My son John, his wife and children also attended. My daughter Lori, her husband and son are in Vail so were not with us. My father and his friend also joined us. And my friend Gus and his wife.
Gus once visited Key West when espresso martini's were just becoming popular. He turned on to them and their preparation! He brings his own coffee and paraphernalia to properly prepare the drink. He is anal in the preparation. Measures precisely each portion going into the shaker! Only Sassy at La Te Da makes a better espresso martini. Gus is that good!
So Gus and I had an espresso martini evening. My father had a wee bit of one.
It was a good evening!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Two observations.
First, Key West is unique!
I spent yesterday sitting around reading. Then a quiet dinner at home and early to bed.
I am bored.
Although a great town, Utica is not Key West. Not by any means. Nor is any other community. Key West has a flavor all its own. And I am starting to miss it!
Second, today is 2 days after Christmas. And there are still 365 days to Christmas!
I made a mistake yesterday, the day after Christmas, when I said there were 365 days to Christmas. Yesterday there were 366.
2008 is a leap year. Ergo the extra day!
You learned it here!
Several of you were kind enough to e mail me and make me aware of the error.
What will today bring? The only thing on the agenda is an appointment with my doctor this afternoon to have my prostrate examined. Wow!
First, Key West is unique!
I spent yesterday sitting around reading. Then a quiet dinner at home and early to bed.
I am bored.
Although a great town, Utica is not Key West. Not by any means. Nor is any other community. Key West has a flavor all its own. And I am starting to miss it!
Second, today is 2 days after Christmas. And there are still 365 days to Christmas!
I made a mistake yesterday, the day after Christmas, when I said there were 365 days to Christmas. Yesterday there were 366.
2008 is a leap year. Ergo the extra day!
You learned it here!
Several of you were kind enough to e mail me and make me aware of the error.
What will today bring? The only thing on the agenda is an appointment with my doctor this afternoon to have my prostrate examined. Wow!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
December 26th. What a wonderful day! Christmas is over! As much fun and happiness as Christmas brings, it leaves most of us overtired and overfed. That is how I feel this morning!
Christmas day was wonderful! I spent it at my son's home. Family and friends all day! Food and drink all day!
But now it is finished! Only 365 days to Christmas! Ho ho!
Christmas day was wonderful! I spent it at my son's home. Family and friends all day! Food and drink all day!
But now it is finished! Only 365 days to Christmas! Ho ho!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
A very merry Christmas to one and all!
Sorry the blog is so late today. It is the holiday! Too much going on!
Last night was spectacular! Christmas eve dinner is a big event for my family. The most special gathering of the year for us.
And the eating is fantastic! Seven fishes in keeping with our Italian tradition.
My wife has been cooking for 3 weeks getting ready.
Smelts. From the days of my grandmother! Little thin 2 inch long fish fried in oil. A crispy delight.! One of my favorites.
Shrimp. Cooked and fried. The fried are rolled in a light flour/egg batter.
Baked clams. An egg bread crumb topping.
Maine lobster tails. Broiled and covered with melted butter. To die for!
Stuffed calamad. Two to three inch calamari is cleaned and stuffed with egg batter and bread crumbs. Then sewed at the open end. Placed in a deep pot of red sauce to cook. Served over home made linguini.
Finally bacalla. Actually cod. Cod is a dry salty fish. When I was a child it was served hard, dry and salty. We were all required to take a small piece and eat it. The intent was to remind us of poorer days gone by. As I grew older I found this amusing since we were all poor at the time. How much poorer could the family have been!
However no longer is the cod eaten in such a native state. Now my wife has it sit in water for 3 weeks to soften. Yes, 3 weeks. Then it is cut up into small pieces and left to soak in olive oil for another week. On Christmas eve, various spices are added. The end result is great tasting morsels of soft fish! Much better than my youth! And no longer a reminder of poor days gone by. I tried to explain the tradition a few times at Christmas eve dinners, but to no avail. Succeeding generations who have never experienced being poor find it difficult to understand.
And that covers the 7 fishes! The differently prepared shrimp dishes are to be counted as two separate fish. Otherwise the 7 cannot be reached.
Of course there were tons of other food on the table also!
Desert were homemade Christmas cookies. Every morning for 4 weeks my wife bakes cookies. A variety and all good!
Every one got along. Any ill feelings were left at the door. So it was a great evening! And my 93 year old father enjoyed the evening the most!
God bless us one and all!
Sorry the blog is so late today. It is the holiday! Too much going on!
Last night was spectacular! Christmas eve dinner is a big event for my family. The most special gathering of the year for us.
And the eating is fantastic! Seven fishes in keeping with our Italian tradition.
My wife has been cooking for 3 weeks getting ready.
Smelts. From the days of my grandmother! Little thin 2 inch long fish fried in oil. A crispy delight.! One of my favorites.
Shrimp. Cooked and fried. The fried are rolled in a light flour/egg batter.
Baked clams. An egg bread crumb topping.
Maine lobster tails. Broiled and covered with melted butter. To die for!
Stuffed calamad. Two to three inch calamari is cleaned and stuffed with egg batter and bread crumbs. Then sewed at the open end. Placed in a deep pot of red sauce to cook. Served over home made linguini.
Finally bacalla. Actually cod. Cod is a dry salty fish. When I was a child it was served hard, dry and salty. We were all required to take a small piece and eat it. The intent was to remind us of poorer days gone by. As I grew older I found this amusing since we were all poor at the time. How much poorer could the family have been!
However no longer is the cod eaten in such a native state. Now my wife has it sit in water for 3 weeks to soften. Yes, 3 weeks. Then it is cut up into small pieces and left to soak in olive oil for another week. On Christmas eve, various spices are added. The end result is great tasting morsels of soft fish! Much better than my youth! And no longer a reminder of poor days gone by. I tried to explain the tradition a few times at Christmas eve dinners, but to no avail. Succeeding generations who have never experienced being poor find it difficult to understand.
And that covers the 7 fishes! The differently prepared shrimp dishes are to be counted as two separate fish. Otherwise the 7 cannot be reached.
Of course there were tons of other food on the table also!
Desert were homemade Christmas cookies. Every morning for 4 weeks my wife bakes cookies. A variety and all good!
Every one got along. Any ill feelings were left at the door. So it was a great evening! And my 93 year old father enjoyed the evening the most!
God bless us one and all!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Ho ho ho! Less than 24 hours till Santa comes!
I think I am cracking up! Already!
Yesterday was a quiet one. Did a little last minute shopping. Saw a few friends. Did not drink. Needed a day off and tonight will be a big one.
My wife has been cooking for three weeks in anticipation for this evening. Christmas Eve is our big holiday. A big Italian one! The seven fishes. The whole family waits in eager anticipation for this meal!
We are up to 21 for dinner. My nephew flew in from Miami Saturday night to surprise my father. His grandfather. My sister flew in yesterday from Tampa. She was expected. My niece and her new husband flew in from Dallas last evening. They were not expected. Surprise! Niece and husband are staying at my house.
The family is coming together for my father. A nice thing. And a not so nice thing when you think about the underlying motivation. A last big party! Although Dad has been failing, I would not be surprised if he was here 10 years from now. And I would hope so! I remember a New Year's eve some 7 years ago when my father and I sat alone in my living room before the fire till after midnight talking about nothing and everything. Everyone else had gone out partying. I had this weird feeling this was going to be our last New Year together so I opted to be with him that evening. It is now 7 years later and the whole family is opting to do the same thing on Christmas eve. I hope their underlying suspicions are as wrong as mine were 7 years ago.
Preparation for this evening's meal creates a kitchen disaster for several days. The meal preparation is my wife's work. Not mine. I am Italian.
Proud that I was alcohol free for the day, I went to bed at 7 pm with a book. And my dream of sugar plums was a good night's sleep to ready me for Christmas eve!
No way! My unannounced niece and husband showed up at 8. Being the good host, I was downstairs in robe entertaining them till midnight. And had a drink or two of course!
Christmas eve morning is upon us. I have a 10 am manicure appointment. The phone just rang. My sister fell on the ice at my father's house. Emergency room here I come!
This is going to be an interesting Christmas eve dinner tonight. Half the people do not talk to each other. They have not sat at a table together in years. I can't wait to see how everything unfolds!
I think I am cracking up! Already!
Yesterday was a quiet one. Did a little last minute shopping. Saw a few friends. Did not drink. Needed a day off and tonight will be a big one.
My wife has been cooking for three weeks in anticipation for this evening. Christmas Eve is our big holiday. A big Italian one! The seven fishes. The whole family waits in eager anticipation for this meal!
We are up to 21 for dinner. My nephew flew in from Miami Saturday night to surprise my father. His grandfather. My sister flew in yesterday from Tampa. She was expected. My niece and her new husband flew in from Dallas last evening. They were not expected. Surprise! Niece and husband are staying at my house.
The family is coming together for my father. A nice thing. And a not so nice thing when you think about the underlying motivation. A last big party! Although Dad has been failing, I would not be surprised if he was here 10 years from now. And I would hope so! I remember a New Year's eve some 7 years ago when my father and I sat alone in my living room before the fire till after midnight talking about nothing and everything. Everyone else had gone out partying. I had this weird feeling this was going to be our last New Year together so I opted to be with him that evening. It is now 7 years later and the whole family is opting to do the same thing on Christmas eve. I hope their underlying suspicions are as wrong as mine were 7 years ago.
Preparation for this evening's meal creates a kitchen disaster for several days. The meal preparation is my wife's work. Not mine. I am Italian.
Proud that I was alcohol free for the day, I went to bed at 7 pm with a book. And my dream of sugar plums was a good night's sleep to ready me for Christmas eve!
No way! My unannounced niece and husband showed up at 8. Being the good host, I was downstairs in robe entertaining them till midnight. And had a drink or two of course!
Christmas eve morning is upon us. I have a 10 am manicure appointment. The phone just rang. My sister fell on the ice at my father's house. Emergency room here I come!
This is going to be an interesting Christmas eve dinner tonight. Half the people do not talk to each other. They have not sat at a table together in years. I can't wait to see how everything unfolds!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Good morning world!
Not to disappoint my Key West friends, the Utica weather report: It is gray outside. No sun today.
Yesterday was a good day! Experiences were many.
My father and I had lunch together for the third consecutive day. At 99. That is the name of the restaurant, not my father's age. Though close, as he is 93. 99 is a chain. Good solid basic foot. We both had onion soup and wings. We both had great conversation.
After lunch I suggested we drive over to my daughter Lori's home and visit with her and my 6 year old grandson Andrew. My grandson and my father's great grandson! Unfortunately no one was home.
As I was backing out the driveway, I made my cut into the road too soon. My car ended up with its right back end sitting on top of and into a four foot snowbank!
I tried rocking the car out to no avail. No rock at all! I looked for a shovel in my daughter's garage. No shovel! What a wonderful country! Shovels are no longer required by some. Just pay and someone will be by to keep your driveway and walks clean!
Anyhow I telephoned the whole world for assistance. On the Saturday before Christmas, I could reach no one. Except for my son John. He was at the wake I planned on attending later in the day. I reported my plight. Told him to get his twin sons and come to the rescue. The boys were at basketball practice. So John and his wife arrived alone. And John brought a shovel! Oh, the little things in life!
He shoveled. And shoveled! And shoveled! His wife tried to rock the car. No luck! It was in too deep. I had done a good job!
By this time I was beginning to feel like an asshole. In defense, I would tell you that the last time I had a car get stuck in the snow was at least 40 years ago.
It suddenly dawned on me I had an AAA card. Not sure whether the organization responded to snow stuck vehicles, I put in a call. In 20 minutes the rescue wagon appeared! A tow truck with a big electric chain on the back. The service man hooked up the chain to the back of my car and voila it was pulled out. Cleanly and slowly and gently!
I have not used my AAA card in ten years. I have sometimes wondered why I pay them $200 a year for nothing. Many the year I have been tempted not to renew. Yesterday I found out why I have need for the card!
Last night we had dinner at the Turning Stone Casino. In the heart of upstate New York, in the middle of onion farming country, only 14 miles from Utica we are blessed with an Indian casino. An American Indian casino.
It is Las Vegas in the middle of no where. Besides the gambling rooms, it has great restaurants in all price ranges, a fantastic spa, 4 great golf courses and whatever else an outstanding resort offers. Hard to believe!
After a great meal in the upscale Wildwoods restaurant, I visited the new dancing room which just opened. I refer to it as a dancing room because that simply is what it is. It is called Lava. And is it hot!
I am 72 and have been all over the world. Never anywhere have I seen something like this! Two floors of great huge semi moon leather couches and a very very very large dance floor. And smoke and flashing lights from every direction covering the dance floor! What a visual experience! What a physical experience!
The best thing that ever happened to the Indians was our government screwing them 200 years ago! We done them bad! Now what has gone around has come around for them! And justifiably so!
One last piece of information. The Casino is the largest employer in central New York. It employs approximately 6,000 persons. This area has been economically depressed for over 50 years. I doubt even back when things were good that we had any employer who employed 6,000 people or anywhere near that number! Turning Stone has turned out to have been a blessing in disguise for not only the Indians, but for all their neighbors here. It is Thanksgiving every day in central New York!
Not to disappoint my Key West friends, the Utica weather report: It is gray outside. No sun today.
Yesterday was a good day! Experiences were many.
My father and I had lunch together for the third consecutive day. At 99. That is the name of the restaurant, not my father's age. Though close, as he is 93. 99 is a chain. Good solid basic foot. We both had onion soup and wings. We both had great conversation.
After lunch I suggested we drive over to my daughter Lori's home and visit with her and my 6 year old grandson Andrew. My grandson and my father's great grandson! Unfortunately no one was home.
As I was backing out the driveway, I made my cut into the road too soon. My car ended up with its right back end sitting on top of and into a four foot snowbank!
I tried rocking the car out to no avail. No rock at all! I looked for a shovel in my daughter's garage. No shovel! What a wonderful country! Shovels are no longer required by some. Just pay and someone will be by to keep your driveway and walks clean!
Anyhow I telephoned the whole world for assistance. On the Saturday before Christmas, I could reach no one. Except for my son John. He was at the wake I planned on attending later in the day. I reported my plight. Told him to get his twin sons and come to the rescue. The boys were at basketball practice. So John and his wife arrived alone. And John brought a shovel! Oh, the little things in life!
He shoveled. And shoveled! And shoveled! His wife tried to rock the car. No luck! It was in too deep. I had done a good job!
By this time I was beginning to feel like an asshole. In defense, I would tell you that the last time I had a car get stuck in the snow was at least 40 years ago.
It suddenly dawned on me I had an AAA card. Not sure whether the organization responded to snow stuck vehicles, I put in a call. In 20 minutes the rescue wagon appeared! A tow truck with a big electric chain on the back. The service man hooked up the chain to the back of my car and voila it was pulled out. Cleanly and slowly and gently!
I have not used my AAA card in ten years. I have sometimes wondered why I pay them $200 a year for nothing. Many the year I have been tempted not to renew. Yesterday I found out why I have need for the card!
Last night we had dinner at the Turning Stone Casino. In the heart of upstate New York, in the middle of onion farming country, only 14 miles from Utica we are blessed with an Indian casino. An American Indian casino.
It is Las Vegas in the middle of no where. Besides the gambling rooms, it has great restaurants in all price ranges, a fantastic spa, 4 great golf courses and whatever else an outstanding resort offers. Hard to believe!
After a great meal in the upscale Wildwoods restaurant, I visited the new dancing room which just opened. I refer to it as a dancing room because that simply is what it is. It is called Lava. And is it hot!
I am 72 and have been all over the world. Never anywhere have I seen something like this! Two floors of great huge semi moon leather couches and a very very very large dance floor. And smoke and flashing lights from every direction covering the dance floor! What a visual experience! What a physical experience!
The best thing that ever happened to the Indians was our government screwing them 200 years ago! We done them bad! Now what has gone around has come around for them! And justifiably so!
One last piece of information. The Casino is the largest employer in central New York. It employs approximately 6,000 persons. This area has been economically depressed for over 50 years. I doubt even back when things were good that we had any employer who employed 6,000 people or anywhere near that number! Turning Stone has turned out to have been a blessing in disguise for not only the Indians, but for all their neighbors here. It is Thanksgiving every day in central New York!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
An unusual day in Utica! The sun is shining! Brightly! And it looks terrific reflecting off the blankets of snow covering the rooftops and ground!
Big night last evening! I saw my first high school varsity basketball game where my twin grandsons were playing. Exciting! Proud!
Matt and Mike are juniors at Notre Dame. Matt is the starting point guard and also one of the team's leading scorers. Mike gets in on occasion and is doing his time on the bench in readiness for next year.
Big game! Notre Dame vs. New Hartford. At New Hartford. A deep rooted rivalry. Prior to last night's game, both teams were tied for second place in their division. The whole world came to watch the game! Parking was impossible! A half hour before the game, ticket sales stopped. There was no more room in the gym.
Cold outside. Sweaty warm inside.
The first half was close. Notre Dame was down by 6 at half time. The second half was a disaster! Notre Dame lost by 20 plus points. Notre Dame lost for 2 reasons. They did not control the backboards and never got its offense going.
The offense problem was Matt's problem. He was the point guard, the general for his team. It was not his night. The coach had him on the bench for at least half the game. And he scored no points.
Mike got in towards the end of the game. An opposing player was fast breaking towards the basket and Mike threw him a body block. Not an intentional or mean body block. Rather the right move at the right time under the circumstances. I was surprised that both of them were able to get up off the floor. Mike was called for a foul and to add salt to the wound, his opponent made both foul shots.
In spite of the defeat, I was one very proud grandfather watching the blood of my blood playing. Matt will continue leading his team this year. They will win many games. Matt will continue to be one the team's high scorers and one the league's high scorers. He will distinguish himself in the future as he has in the past. Mike will get to play more and will have his moments in the sun. Rare is a team that wins all its games. And sometimes a good kick in the ass helps! There is no question in my mind that when these two teams meet again in February at Notre Dame, the result will be different. Such is life!
I am getting on in my years. It had been a long time since I was at a high school varsity game in my home town. I saw many faces from the past. And these faces brought back memories! Some interesting, some thoughtful!
There was the Monsignor. Now old. Walks with a cane. Still distinguished in his bearing. And still the warm soul I remembered!
There was a time in the early 1960s when a woman came to see me. She worked in a rectory. She said the priest had made advances towards her. She was totally distraught. The situation had shaken the foundations of her faith. What to do? I wrote the bishop. The Monsignor visited with me in response to that letter.
Nothing happened. The Catholic Church was in denial even back then.
Sitting in front of me was Joe, a basketball coach for many years at Notre Dame. A revered man! We spoke like long lost friends reunited. Joe is 3 years older than me. We had attended high school together, though he was a senior when I was a freshman.
The conversation got around to who of the old class mates did each of us see. The answer was none. Some were dead, some moved away and the rest.....well the paths never cross. Sad. But it is that time in our lives.
I saw the father of what was a young client from many years ago. The father is older than me. He had been a great basketball player in high school which lead to a scholarship and his playing basketball in college. He subsequently became a vice president with a major insurance company. As he used to tell me, he got an education because he could put a ball in a round hoop! That simple. The free ride was his because he was born with a talent.
His son was equally as talented on the basketball court. It is in the genes!
His son wanted to transfer from one high school to another. He was not getting appropriate playing time and his opportunity to shine and move on with a basketball scholarship would be lost. So a change to another high school was required.
There was a high school administrative rule at the time that a transferring athlete had to sit one year out before he could play. Obviously to discourage such transfers. There were exceptions to the rule.
The boy transferred. The league said he could not play for one year. So I was retained to represent the young athlete in a hearing whose purpose was to qualify him to play immediately. It was a tough fight! Administrators do not take these matters lightly. And rightfully so!
However my young client prevailed. The decision was that he could play immediately at his new school.
The sports page of the local newspaper had been following this case closely. The day after the decision it reported that the boy could play basketball and that Petrone played hardball! I was always proud of that comment and the result which lead up to it. Excuse my moment of self gratification, but it felt good seeing the father last night and remembering the incident!
Today will have its sad moments. I have to attend the wake of my departed lawyer friend Nick Priore.
Big night last evening! I saw my first high school varsity basketball game where my twin grandsons were playing. Exciting! Proud!
Matt and Mike are juniors at Notre Dame. Matt is the starting point guard and also one of the team's leading scorers. Mike gets in on occasion and is doing his time on the bench in readiness for next year.
Big game! Notre Dame vs. New Hartford. At New Hartford. A deep rooted rivalry. Prior to last night's game, both teams were tied for second place in their division. The whole world came to watch the game! Parking was impossible! A half hour before the game, ticket sales stopped. There was no more room in the gym.
Cold outside. Sweaty warm inside.
The first half was close. Notre Dame was down by 6 at half time. The second half was a disaster! Notre Dame lost by 20 plus points. Notre Dame lost for 2 reasons. They did not control the backboards and never got its offense going.
The offense problem was Matt's problem. He was the point guard, the general for his team. It was not his night. The coach had him on the bench for at least half the game. And he scored no points.
Mike got in towards the end of the game. An opposing player was fast breaking towards the basket and Mike threw him a body block. Not an intentional or mean body block. Rather the right move at the right time under the circumstances. I was surprised that both of them were able to get up off the floor. Mike was called for a foul and to add salt to the wound, his opponent made both foul shots.
In spite of the defeat, I was one very proud grandfather watching the blood of my blood playing. Matt will continue leading his team this year. They will win many games. Matt will continue to be one the team's high scorers and one the league's high scorers. He will distinguish himself in the future as he has in the past. Mike will get to play more and will have his moments in the sun. Rare is a team that wins all its games. And sometimes a good kick in the ass helps! There is no question in my mind that when these two teams meet again in February at Notre Dame, the result will be different. Such is life!
I am getting on in my years. It had been a long time since I was at a high school varsity game in my home town. I saw many faces from the past. And these faces brought back memories! Some interesting, some thoughtful!
There was the Monsignor. Now old. Walks with a cane. Still distinguished in his bearing. And still the warm soul I remembered!
There was a time in the early 1960s when a woman came to see me. She worked in a rectory. She said the priest had made advances towards her. She was totally distraught. The situation had shaken the foundations of her faith. What to do? I wrote the bishop. The Monsignor visited with me in response to that letter.
Nothing happened. The Catholic Church was in denial even back then.
Sitting in front of me was Joe, a basketball coach for many years at Notre Dame. A revered man! We spoke like long lost friends reunited. Joe is 3 years older than me. We had attended high school together, though he was a senior when I was a freshman.
The conversation got around to who of the old class mates did each of us see. The answer was none. Some were dead, some moved away and the rest.....well the paths never cross. Sad. But it is that time in our lives.
I saw the father of what was a young client from many years ago. The father is older than me. He had been a great basketball player in high school which lead to a scholarship and his playing basketball in college. He subsequently became a vice president with a major insurance company. As he used to tell me, he got an education because he could put a ball in a round hoop! That simple. The free ride was his because he was born with a talent.
His son was equally as talented on the basketball court. It is in the genes!
His son wanted to transfer from one high school to another. He was not getting appropriate playing time and his opportunity to shine and move on with a basketball scholarship would be lost. So a change to another high school was required.
There was a high school administrative rule at the time that a transferring athlete had to sit one year out before he could play. Obviously to discourage such transfers. There were exceptions to the rule.
The boy transferred. The league said he could not play for one year. So I was retained to represent the young athlete in a hearing whose purpose was to qualify him to play immediately. It was a tough fight! Administrators do not take these matters lightly. And rightfully so!
However my young client prevailed. The decision was that he could play immediately at his new school.
The sports page of the local newspaper had been following this case closely. The day after the decision it reported that the boy could play basketball and that Petrone played hardball! I was always proud of that comment and the result which lead up to it. Excuse my moment of self gratification, but it felt good seeing the father last night and remembering the incident!
Today will have its sad moments. I have to attend the wake of my departed lawyer friend Nick Priore.
Friday, December 21, 2007
The weather remains the same here in Utica. COLD! VERY COLD!
And gray!
Utica sits in a valley. The Mohawk Valley of historical revolutionary fame. Clouds hang over the valley all winter. Rarely do they separate to let the sun in.
I took my father to the physical therapist yesterday. He has a bad shoulder and a bad leg. So he works them out with a trainer 3 times a week. At age 93!
The gym was a regrigerator! A huge building. It would cost a fortune to properly heat it. My father worked up a bit of a sweast, so he was ok. I sat reading a book and frooze!
Last night was drinks and dinner with friends at our golf club. It was good to see them and others. I have been away since early September. Christmas spirit abounded!
I watch Morning Joe on MSNBC every morning. This morning there was an ad by Joseph A. Banks. A leather glove ad! $65 a pair. But marked down this morning only till noon for $19. Everyone is in to it! Banks and Macy's must use the same ad agency!
A Utica attorney died yesterday. Nick Priore. A good guy! The best! And a friend. 46 years old. Dropped in court. A brain anyeurism. Just like that he was gone.
Enjoy not only each day my friends. Enjoy each moment! One never knows.....
And gray!
Utica sits in a valley. The Mohawk Valley of historical revolutionary fame. Clouds hang over the valley all winter. Rarely do they separate to let the sun in.
I took my father to the physical therapist yesterday. He has a bad shoulder and a bad leg. So he works them out with a trainer 3 times a week. At age 93!
The gym was a regrigerator! A huge building. It would cost a fortune to properly heat it. My father worked up a bit of a sweast, so he was ok. I sat reading a book and frooze!
Last night was drinks and dinner with friends at our golf club. It was good to see them and others. I have been away since early September. Christmas spirit abounded!
I watch Morning Joe on MSNBC every morning. This morning there was an ad by Joseph A. Banks. A leather glove ad! $65 a pair. But marked down this morning only till noon for $19. Everyone is in to it! Banks and Macy's must use the same ad agency!
A Utica attorney died yesterday. Nick Priore. A good guy! The best! And a friend. 46 years old. Dropped in court. A brain anyeurism. Just like that he was gone.
Enjoy not only each day my friends. Enjoy each moment! One never knows.....
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Dark and cold! Very cold! This is morning in Utica, N.Y.
As cold as it is, it is equally beautiful! The snow is a clean white blanket covered this moment by the gray of the sky. The houses are in dark sillouette. An occasional window brightened by the light of someone up early. And best of all, the smoke streaming out of the chimneys! As good a sight as the morning sun breaking over the water at sunrise in Key West!
My father and I had lunch together yesterday and then spent a couple of hours together at his home chatting. He is in excellent shape at 93. God has blessed him!
Before going to lunch we made a stop at Macy's. Yes, we have one in the Utica area! I needed gloves. I could not find my old pair and the cold has a way of quickly drying and breaking the skin on my knucles and back of my hands. Fragile boy am I!
The purchase of the gloves was an interesting experience!
I wanted a pair of lined leather gloves. A simple lining. There were tons of them. By the way, the store was jammed with people spending money like crazy! It makes one wonder whether we are in a recession. Anyhow I found the gloves I liked. There were 2 different kinds. The only actual difference was the lining. The fleece lined ones were $50 and the cashmere lined $58. Wow! The pair of gloves I could not find at home I had purchased 15 years ago. I am sure they did not cost anywhere near those numbers!
While I was deciding whether I would just walk around with my hands in my pockets till I returned to Key West, I noticed a sign above the gloves. 50 per cent off on ticketed price on all gloves! Well, not bad! Might as well go for the cashmere! At 50 per cent off, the pair would cost me $29. In the reasonable range!
By this time an anxious and helpful sales clerk had appeared. While I was trying the gloves on for size, I told him I had just arrived from Key West the previous evening and was I cold! He was sympathetic, or at least appeared so. He told me that because I was from Key West, I would get another $10 off. How could I resist! I ended up paying $19 for a pair of cashmere lined leather gloves!
I do not understand how something advertised for $58 can be sold for $19. I appreciate Christmas is only a few days away. However in the end I did not feel I had received a deal. Rather I felt the price had been initially inflated. Then discounted dramatically to lead people such as myself to believe they were getting a deal. In reality in the end the fair price for the item was actually paid.
Whether right or wrong apparently is immaterial. The system works for Macy's and at the same time works for the consumer. So why complain!
I received a warm e mail this morning from my daughter Lisa who I left to languish in the warmth of Key West. A couple of days ago my grandchildren Robert and Ally wrote letteres to Santa Claus. They personally handed them to Bob the mailman. Yesterday Bob returned with letters for them from Santa Claus. Amongst other things, Robert was told to love Ally and Ally was told to love Robert. Both were excited to recieve these responses. Robert especially who Lisa advises was beaming and running around the house all day with Santa's letter in hand. Nice country America! And nice guy Bob the mailman!
As cold as it is, it is equally beautiful! The snow is a clean white blanket covered this moment by the gray of the sky. The houses are in dark sillouette. An occasional window brightened by the light of someone up early. And best of all, the smoke streaming out of the chimneys! As good a sight as the morning sun breaking over the water at sunrise in Key West!
My father and I had lunch together yesterday and then spent a couple of hours together at his home chatting. He is in excellent shape at 93. God has blessed him!
Before going to lunch we made a stop at Macy's. Yes, we have one in the Utica area! I needed gloves. I could not find my old pair and the cold has a way of quickly drying and breaking the skin on my knucles and back of my hands. Fragile boy am I!
The purchase of the gloves was an interesting experience!
I wanted a pair of lined leather gloves. A simple lining. There were tons of them. By the way, the store was jammed with people spending money like crazy! It makes one wonder whether we are in a recession. Anyhow I found the gloves I liked. There were 2 different kinds. The only actual difference was the lining. The fleece lined ones were $50 and the cashmere lined $58. Wow! The pair of gloves I could not find at home I had purchased 15 years ago. I am sure they did not cost anywhere near those numbers!
While I was deciding whether I would just walk around with my hands in my pockets till I returned to Key West, I noticed a sign above the gloves. 50 per cent off on ticketed price on all gloves! Well, not bad! Might as well go for the cashmere! At 50 per cent off, the pair would cost me $29. In the reasonable range!
By this time an anxious and helpful sales clerk had appeared. While I was trying the gloves on for size, I told him I had just arrived from Key West the previous evening and was I cold! He was sympathetic, or at least appeared so. He told me that because I was from Key West, I would get another $10 off. How could I resist! I ended up paying $19 for a pair of cashmere lined leather gloves!
I do not understand how something advertised for $58 can be sold for $19. I appreciate Christmas is only a few days away. However in the end I did not feel I had received a deal. Rather I felt the price had been initially inflated. Then discounted dramatically to lead people such as myself to believe they were getting a deal. In reality in the end the fair price for the item was actually paid.
Whether right or wrong apparently is immaterial. The system works for Macy's and at the same time works for the consumer. So why complain!
I received a warm e mail this morning from my daughter Lisa who I left to languish in the warmth of Key West. A couple of days ago my grandchildren Robert and Ally wrote letteres to Santa Claus. They personally handed them to Bob the mailman. Yesterday Bob returned with letters for them from Santa Claus. Amongst other things, Robert was told to love Ally and Ally was told to love Robert. Both were excited to recieve these responses. Robert especially who Lisa advises was beaming and running around the house all day with Santa's letter in hand. Nice country America! And nice guy Bob the mailman!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
I made it! I am in the north country! Utica, NY. Home of my roots.
When I arrived in Syracuse last night it was cold! 22 degrees! And I complained of 66 the day before in Key West! Never again!
There is snow everywhere. Syracuse has had 52 inches already in December alone! The snow in Utica is about 3 feet, except at the curb line where it is plowed even higher.
The 3 flights north were uneventful with one exception also. I was up early yesterday morning. Had a lot of time to leisure around and get ready to go to the airport. The phone rang. It was the airline. My flight out of Key West was cancelled and I had 45 minutes to get to the airport to catch a much earlier flight. I had to shower, shave and all the rest yet. Also had to get a ride to the airport. Called my daughter Lisa to hurry over. Did what I had to do and arrived just in time at the airline counter.
The airport was basically deserted. I was told my later flight was cancelled because there were only 3 people on it.
Short of getting a heart attack in catching the first plane, the flights were uneventful. And I arrived on time! Unusual for a winter trip.
It always amazes me when I travel in the winter how different people look the farther north one gets. In the keys everyone is golden and healthy looking. In Newark, everyone is pale and haggard appearing. The weather does beat us up!
My home is lovely! Well decorated for the holidays! Not because of anything I do or did. My wife returned a couple of weeks ago and deserves the credit. There is a beautifully decorated 9 foot tree. Wreaths and ornaments everywhere. Garland and branches covering the staircase. Warm and homey! It is Christmas time!
When I went to bed, I could not get the chill out of my bones. I turned on the fireplace. Soon the room was toasty. The only way to describe it. So warm I soon did not even need a blanket. And slept the night away like a new born baby!
When I arrived in Syracuse last night it was cold! 22 degrees! And I complained of 66 the day before in Key West! Never again!
There is snow everywhere. Syracuse has had 52 inches already in December alone! The snow in Utica is about 3 feet, except at the curb line where it is plowed even higher.
The 3 flights north were uneventful with one exception also. I was up early yesterday morning. Had a lot of time to leisure around and get ready to go to the airport. The phone rang. It was the airline. My flight out of Key West was cancelled and I had 45 minutes to get to the airport to catch a much earlier flight. I had to shower, shave and all the rest yet. Also had to get a ride to the airport. Called my daughter Lisa to hurry over. Did what I had to do and arrived just in time at the airline counter.
The airport was basically deserted. I was told my later flight was cancelled because there were only 3 people on it.
Short of getting a heart attack in catching the first plane, the flights were uneventful. And I arrived on time! Unusual for a winter trip.
It always amazes me when I travel in the winter how different people look the farther north one gets. In the keys everyone is golden and healthy looking. In Newark, everyone is pale and haggard appearing. The weather does beat us up!
My home is lovely! Well decorated for the holidays! Not because of anything I do or did. My wife returned a couple of weeks ago and deserves the credit. There is a beautifully decorated 9 foot tree. Wreaths and ornaments everywhere. Garland and branches covering the staircase. Warm and homey! It is Christmas time!
When I went to bed, I could not get the chill out of my bones. I turned on the fireplace. Soon the room was toasty. The only way to describe it. So warm I soon did not even need a blanket. And slept the night away like a new born baby!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Good morning world!
I am up and running! This is the big day! I return to my roots. I go to Utica, New York to visit family and friends for the holidays.
Getting there is no easy task, especially in the winter. Three planes. Key West to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale to Newark, Newark to Syracuse. Then a 50 mile drive from Syracuse to Utica.
I leave at 9 this morning and IF all planes are on time, I arrive in Syracuse at 6 this evening. If one plane is late, I do not know how long it will take or where I may be sleeping this evening.
An adventure! Actually I look forward to it. I bought a new biography on Condoleezza Rice and will let it absorb me through out the day. I also enjoy the experience of fast foods in the airports. As I am sure you have noted, I do not partake of such in Key West. So all in all, an interesting day awaits me.
Yesterday was a quiet one. The day before leaving. I paid bills, packed and went to the drug store and the book store. Saw the grandchildren. Robert had a new Bat Mobile and he was excited. I was too! It did everything! Toys are fantastic today. Ally had a new pink hand mike so she was showing off swinging around singing Sound of Music songs. A star entertainer in the making!
I had dinner at the bar at La Traattoria. Good as usual. And then home to bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head in anticipation of today's trip!
Actually it was one gin too many!
I am up and running! This is the big day! I return to my roots. I go to Utica, New York to visit family and friends for the holidays.
Getting there is no easy task, especially in the winter. Three planes. Key West to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale to Newark, Newark to Syracuse. Then a 50 mile drive from Syracuse to Utica.
I leave at 9 this morning and IF all planes are on time, I arrive in Syracuse at 6 this evening. If one plane is late, I do not know how long it will take or where I may be sleeping this evening.
An adventure! Actually I look forward to it. I bought a new biography on Condoleezza Rice and will let it absorb me through out the day. I also enjoy the experience of fast foods in the airports. As I am sure you have noted, I do not partake of such in Key West. So all in all, an interesting day awaits me.
Yesterday was a quiet one. The day before leaving. I paid bills, packed and went to the drug store and the book store. Saw the grandchildren. Robert had a new Bat Mobile and he was excited. I was too! It did everything! Toys are fantastic today. Ally had a new pink hand mike so she was showing off swinging around singing Sound of Music songs. A star entertainer in the making!
I had dinner at the bar at La Traattoria. Good as usual. And then home to bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head in anticipation of today's trip!
Actually it was one gin too many!
Monday, December 17, 2007
It is getting light this morning. The sun is just rising. Or trying to! It is behind a heavy cloud bank. It will be gray all day.
The temperature is 64. The anticipated high now is 66. A cold day in Key West! The effects of the northeaster are upon us!
My friends up north laugh when I comment on the isolated cold spells we experience in the keys. Since it is 20 degrees in northern New York this morning, I can understand. But it has been that cold up north for weeks now. Key West has been experiencing low 80 degree days for weeks. A 20 degree drop overnight does add up to COLD!
Yesterday was a rainy drizzly day all day! Nothing heavy. It just kept coming down.
Such days are No Name Pub days for me.
No Name Pub is about 30 miles north. It is somewhere off route 1 and next to Big Pine Key. Almost impossible to find! It takes a series of back roads off the main highway to locate it. No Name Pub even advertises that people will be lucky to find it the first few times they attempt going there.
I have been enjoying No Name Pub for 20 years so I finally know my way. However I must admit that I still experience a tinge of pride every time I arrive there without getting lost.
The place is a dump! The only way it can be described. A small beat up clapboard house. Inside is a big tall square bar. And non matching tables and chairs. Not only do the tables not match, the chairs do not match the tables.
The ceilings and walls are covered with $1 bills. All over! People sign and date them. They are generally stapled in place. There are so many and have been there so long that the green paper is turning brown. Our currency that cannot discolor is discoloring!
About 5 years ago I asked one of the owners for an estimate as to how much was covering the ceiling and walls. Note that the money hangs like bats in a cave! He estimated about $4,000. I believe him. And it is still growing!
One goes to No Name Pub for 2 reasons. The first is the adventure involved in getting there. The second is the food. It actually is very good! The pizza is outstanding. Thin crusted with what ever toppings you enjoy. Expect about 2 inches of toppings. Yesterday I had wings and pizza with cheese, sausage, meatballs and pepperoni. Great! And I also at the same time watched on TV Miami win which made the No Name experience yesterday even better!
One historical tidbit about No Name Pub. The menu says the place was a brothel during the late 1930s and into the early 1940s. For you who might have thought there was no sex in the keys!
Last night was an experience! A musical one!
You will recall that about a month ago Larry Smith did a 1980s rock and roll showcase at the Pier House. It starred his lovely wife Christine. The very best music I had ever heard up to that time! And I am exposed to a lot of music! The show was repeated last night at the Pier House.
It was not better than the first time. It was that good the first time. And last night was equally good! So it was a great show repeated! An experience again!
Ray Sigismonde was on the electric guitar for both shows. A talent! And he is not a professional! An amateur oozing again with talent. His body gyrated up and down and his knees even groveled on the floor as he played the guitar. His fingers were steaming and hot!
Ray is originally from New York City. He worked with Harlan in the limousine service business. He now heads up security at the Casa Marina Resort, lives on a houseboat and rides around town on a moped. And plays his guitar whenever he can! What a life!
Kathleen Peace accompanied Christine in the singing. Kathleen has a spectacular voice! Outstanding! There are not enough adjectives to describe the power of her singing. Her range raised the ceiling and expanded the walls! For real!
And a beautiful woman also!
She reminds me in voice and beauty of Kathryn Grayson, the 1950s and 1960s Hollywood movie star who sang in many of the musicals of that era.
I do not know from whence Kathleen originates. However it is obvious that she is a Key West success. She is the Food and Beverage Manager at the Pier House. A big job in and of itself! Additionally she owns and operates a women's boutique in Bahama Village. And she sings every opportunity she gets!
I have a busy day ahead of me. A lot of little things to do. I leave tomorrow for upstate New York for 2 weeks for the holidays. Worry not! I shall not desert you! I intend to write from there about the snow, ice and cold! And everything else that the northerners do!
The temperature is 64. The anticipated high now is 66. A cold day in Key West! The effects of the northeaster are upon us!
My friends up north laugh when I comment on the isolated cold spells we experience in the keys. Since it is 20 degrees in northern New York this morning, I can understand. But it has been that cold up north for weeks now. Key West has been experiencing low 80 degree days for weeks. A 20 degree drop overnight does add up to COLD!
Yesterday was a rainy drizzly day all day! Nothing heavy. It just kept coming down.
Such days are No Name Pub days for me.
No Name Pub is about 30 miles north. It is somewhere off route 1 and next to Big Pine Key. Almost impossible to find! It takes a series of back roads off the main highway to locate it. No Name Pub even advertises that people will be lucky to find it the first few times they attempt going there.
I have been enjoying No Name Pub for 20 years so I finally know my way. However I must admit that I still experience a tinge of pride every time I arrive there without getting lost.
The place is a dump! The only way it can be described. A small beat up clapboard house. Inside is a big tall square bar. And non matching tables and chairs. Not only do the tables not match, the chairs do not match the tables.
The ceilings and walls are covered with $1 bills. All over! People sign and date them. They are generally stapled in place. There are so many and have been there so long that the green paper is turning brown. Our currency that cannot discolor is discoloring!
About 5 years ago I asked one of the owners for an estimate as to how much was covering the ceiling and walls. Note that the money hangs like bats in a cave! He estimated about $4,000. I believe him. And it is still growing!
One goes to No Name Pub for 2 reasons. The first is the adventure involved in getting there. The second is the food. It actually is very good! The pizza is outstanding. Thin crusted with what ever toppings you enjoy. Expect about 2 inches of toppings. Yesterday I had wings and pizza with cheese, sausage, meatballs and pepperoni. Great! And I also at the same time watched on TV Miami win which made the No Name experience yesterday even better!
One historical tidbit about No Name Pub. The menu says the place was a brothel during the late 1930s and into the early 1940s. For you who might have thought there was no sex in the keys!
Last night was an experience! A musical one!
You will recall that about a month ago Larry Smith did a 1980s rock and roll showcase at the Pier House. It starred his lovely wife Christine. The very best music I had ever heard up to that time! And I am exposed to a lot of music! The show was repeated last night at the Pier House.
It was not better than the first time. It was that good the first time. And last night was equally good! So it was a great show repeated! An experience again!
Ray Sigismonde was on the electric guitar for both shows. A talent! And he is not a professional! An amateur oozing again with talent. His body gyrated up and down and his knees even groveled on the floor as he played the guitar. His fingers were steaming and hot!
Ray is originally from New York City. He worked with Harlan in the limousine service business. He now heads up security at the Casa Marina Resort, lives on a houseboat and rides around town on a moped. And plays his guitar whenever he can! What a life!
Kathleen Peace accompanied Christine in the singing. Kathleen has a spectacular voice! Outstanding! There are not enough adjectives to describe the power of her singing. Her range raised the ceiling and expanded the walls! For real!
And a beautiful woman also!
She reminds me in voice and beauty of Kathryn Grayson, the 1950s and 1960s Hollywood movie star who sang in many of the musicals of that era.
I do not know from whence Kathleen originates. However it is obvious that she is a Key West success. She is the Food and Beverage Manager at the Pier House. A big job in and of itself! Additionally she owns and operates a women's boutique in Bahama Village. And she sings every opportunity she gets!
I have a busy day ahead of me. A lot of little things to do. I leave tomorrow for upstate New York for 2 weeks for the holidays. Worry not! I shall not desert you! I intend to write from there about the snow, ice and cold! And everything else that the northerners do!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Great night last night! Absolutely fantastic!
Christmas Boat Parade!
Schooner's Wharf and the community sponsor an annual Christmas Boat Parade. Last night's parade was the 17th annual one.
I had never before been on a boat for the parade nor watched one. My loss! I made up for it last night however!
I was a guest on the Fury. The Fury is a 77 foot catamaran. Three levels. A commercial vessel, it takes people out daily for reef exploration, jet skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving and other varied water sports. In the evenings it has sunset cruises. A big business! Literally thousands of people enjoy water related activities on the Fury yearly.
The people who operate the Fury are very generous. They contribute to all sorts of Key West charities, including reef restoration. An environmentally cognizant organization.
Concierges are an economic life line for the Fury. Lodging guests are referred to the Fury if they seek water sports. Last night was a special pay back time by the Fury to the Key West concierge industry. All concierges were invited free to enjoy the Christmas Boat parade on the Fury!
I was fortunate to be invited also.
What an evening! What fun!
The evening started with cocktails on the Westin dock. At 6:30 we were lead onto the boat. We left the harbor at 7 and entered the parade.
Twenty seven boats were entered in this year's parade. Some big, some small. Lengths ranged from 15 feet to 100 plus feet. And all were decked out with thousands of lights and other holiday paraphernalia!
Each boat was decorated in a unique fashion. Xmas trees, Palm trees decorated as Xmas trees, Santa Claus and a nativity scene. And even frosty the snowman! A big time effort and expense in the decoration of each boat!
There is also $21,000 in prizes for the winning 12 boats. But I assure you none of the decorating and participation was for the money. This parade was strictly a holiday fun party for all involved!
Two boats especially struck my fancy. Key West is a fishing town. Lobster and crab abound. So one vessel had a large sign composed solely of lights on its side that read SANTA CLAWS rather than Santa Claus! Cool! The other boat that received a huge applause each time it drove by another vessel was a smaller one with the nine Hanukkah candles and 2 Stars of David standing tall on the boat.
On the Fury we were eating and drinking and dancing the night away! Had to be at least 100 people on board. Top shelf liquor and a great buffet. And the music was terrific! The boat had a 1960s theme and the music was generally from that era. Beatles and the like. I even heard a song I have not heard in years. The singer escapes me but the words do not...16 tons and what do you get, another day older and deeper in debt! How true! Nothing changes!
After the parade I sauntered down to Schooner's Wharf. My very good friend Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24 were playing. It is always good to see Howard! At the end of a set, he came down from the stage to give me a big bear hug and kiss. On the cheek of course!
Howard's musical career is careening ahead! In addition to headlining in the keys, he is playing in Nashville and opening in Las Vegas. Run, don't walk, to see him and buy his CDs! You will love his tunes, most of which he writes himself.
One of his songs has a line...I'm living in Key West time! Howard is and so am I! Thank You Lord!
I was up early this morning. That snow and cold front that has moved from the mid west to the northeast is arriving in the keys. Yes, even Key West gets cool weather! I left the house this morning at 6:30. It was 72. By 8 it had dropped to 67 and is still dropping. And we are being hit with a sleeting type cool rain at the moment, though it is not really sleet. But it pierces and so feels like it.
My 93 year old father lives in upstate New York. I speak with him daily. He tells me the temperature this past week ranged from 8 degrees to 20. And I am complaining about a few of the coming days in the 60s! Such is life...
Christmas Boat Parade!
Schooner's Wharf and the community sponsor an annual Christmas Boat Parade. Last night's parade was the 17th annual one.
I had never before been on a boat for the parade nor watched one. My loss! I made up for it last night however!
I was a guest on the Fury. The Fury is a 77 foot catamaran. Three levels. A commercial vessel, it takes people out daily for reef exploration, jet skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving and other varied water sports. In the evenings it has sunset cruises. A big business! Literally thousands of people enjoy water related activities on the Fury yearly.
The people who operate the Fury are very generous. They contribute to all sorts of Key West charities, including reef restoration. An environmentally cognizant organization.
Concierges are an economic life line for the Fury. Lodging guests are referred to the Fury if they seek water sports. Last night was a special pay back time by the Fury to the Key West concierge industry. All concierges were invited free to enjoy the Christmas Boat parade on the Fury!
I was fortunate to be invited also.
What an evening! What fun!
The evening started with cocktails on the Westin dock. At 6:30 we were lead onto the boat. We left the harbor at 7 and entered the parade.
Twenty seven boats were entered in this year's parade. Some big, some small. Lengths ranged from 15 feet to 100 plus feet. And all were decked out with thousands of lights and other holiday paraphernalia!
Each boat was decorated in a unique fashion. Xmas trees, Palm trees decorated as Xmas trees, Santa Claus and a nativity scene. And even frosty the snowman! A big time effort and expense in the decoration of each boat!
There is also $21,000 in prizes for the winning 12 boats. But I assure you none of the decorating and participation was for the money. This parade was strictly a holiday fun party for all involved!
Two boats especially struck my fancy. Key West is a fishing town. Lobster and crab abound. So one vessel had a large sign composed solely of lights on its side that read SANTA CLAWS rather than Santa Claus! Cool! The other boat that received a huge applause each time it drove by another vessel was a smaller one with the nine Hanukkah candles and 2 Stars of David standing tall on the boat.
On the Fury we were eating and drinking and dancing the night away! Had to be at least 100 people on board. Top shelf liquor and a great buffet. And the music was terrific! The boat had a 1960s theme and the music was generally from that era. Beatles and the like. I even heard a song I have not heard in years. The singer escapes me but the words do not...16 tons and what do you get, another day older and deeper in debt! How true! Nothing changes!
After the parade I sauntered down to Schooner's Wharf. My very good friend Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24 were playing. It is always good to see Howard! At the end of a set, he came down from the stage to give me a big bear hug and kiss. On the cheek of course!
Howard's musical career is careening ahead! In addition to headlining in the keys, he is playing in Nashville and opening in Las Vegas. Run, don't walk, to see him and buy his CDs! You will love his tunes, most of which he writes himself.
One of his songs has a line...I'm living in Key West time! Howard is and so am I! Thank You Lord!
I was up early this morning. That snow and cold front that has moved from the mid west to the northeast is arriving in the keys. Yes, even Key West gets cool weather! I left the house this morning at 6:30. It was 72. By 8 it had dropped to 67 and is still dropping. And we are being hit with a sleeting type cool rain at the moment, though it is not really sleet. But it pierces and so feels like it.
My 93 year old father lives in upstate New York. I speak with him daily. He tells me the temperature this past week ranged from 8 degrees to 20. And I am complaining about a few of the coming days in the 60s! Such is life...
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Interesting dinner last night! Ate at Pisces again. The fish is so good! Great preparation and presentation! However this time I avoided the watermelon martinis. Instead I enjoyed my usual couple of gins.
One of my dinner companions was Lou Hernandez. An interesting man! Lou was born and raised in Texas. After school, he did a stint in the military and then ended up working for the government in Washington. Many years ago he settled in Key West.
Since that time he has anchored himself in the community. He is a most respected individual!
At the present time he is the CEO of Helpline. Helpline is a not for profit that basically does what its name connotes. It provides help! Any person with any kind of need can call and receive advise and assistance. The range of help covers all the many needs of a modern populace. Aids, disability, spousal abuse, addiction, need for basics such as food and medicine, etc.
Lou is also community minded. He presently serves as Board Chairman of Keys Energy Services. Keys Energy provides electrical and other utility services from Key West north to the end of the Seven Mile bridge. Roughly 50 miles of keys. Board membership is an elected position by the people of the lower keys. A four year term. Lou has been reelected three times. I believe he is in his tenth year of service.
Lou also served as County Democratic Chairman for a time.
So we had great dinner conversation! The environment and politics!
For whatever reason, I could not sleep last night. I have been up since 2 am. Not so bad however. It gave me an opportunity to see reruns of the Democratic debate and Mitchell's report on baseball and steroid usage.
The six Democratic hopefuls looked good. I was impressed with all of them in this the final debate for a while.
Senator Mitchell's report was a mind blower! Not so much that steroids and other power inducers were being used. Rather it was the extent of the problem and the fact that a number of very prominent athletes were involved.
We live in morally sick society. It is a continuing and growing problem. Those who are at the top consider themselves omnipotent. They think they can do anything they want without responsibility coming into play. Corporate CEOs are another example. As well as our government officials in Washington. The public/people be damned! And the cancer is moving down the ladder into our younger business and professional generation. We have become a "me" society as opposed to an "us" one. I hope this next presidential election will move us in a reverse direction. Since the sickness is greatest at the top, the solution/cure must start there and move down to the populace. It will take time to reverse, but it can and must be done. It is time for the pendulum to start swinging the other way!
So I was out of bed before 6 and into town having Cuban toast and coffee at Paradise Cafe. And reading the morning papers. I love reading the morning papers!
By the time the sun came up, I was ready for my morning walk. I did the waterfront. It was interesting watching the island come to life. Tino rode by me on his bicycle. It was good to see him. He starts his day at 7 am a few mornings a week. This former federal government investigator from Chicago is now a dock master at the A & B Marina.
Since it was only 8 am, I stopped at my daughter Lisa's on the way home. Participated in breakfast with my 3 and 2 year old grandchildren. Always an interesting experience! Played with them a bit. Made plans to have dinner with them tonight. And then I was off to my Raccoon Key home to write to all of you.
And I still have the whole day ahead of me!
One of my dinner companions was Lou Hernandez. An interesting man! Lou was born and raised in Texas. After school, he did a stint in the military and then ended up working for the government in Washington. Many years ago he settled in Key West.
Since that time he has anchored himself in the community. He is a most respected individual!
At the present time he is the CEO of Helpline. Helpline is a not for profit that basically does what its name connotes. It provides help! Any person with any kind of need can call and receive advise and assistance. The range of help covers all the many needs of a modern populace. Aids, disability, spousal abuse, addiction, need for basics such as food and medicine, etc.
Lou is also community minded. He presently serves as Board Chairman of Keys Energy Services. Keys Energy provides electrical and other utility services from Key West north to the end of the Seven Mile bridge. Roughly 50 miles of keys. Board membership is an elected position by the people of the lower keys. A four year term. Lou has been reelected three times. I believe he is in his tenth year of service.
Lou also served as County Democratic Chairman for a time.
So we had great dinner conversation! The environment and politics!
For whatever reason, I could not sleep last night. I have been up since 2 am. Not so bad however. It gave me an opportunity to see reruns of the Democratic debate and Mitchell's report on baseball and steroid usage.
The six Democratic hopefuls looked good. I was impressed with all of them in this the final debate for a while.
Senator Mitchell's report was a mind blower! Not so much that steroids and other power inducers were being used. Rather it was the extent of the problem and the fact that a number of very prominent athletes were involved.
We live in morally sick society. It is a continuing and growing problem. Those who are at the top consider themselves omnipotent. They think they can do anything they want without responsibility coming into play. Corporate CEOs are another example. As well as our government officials in Washington. The public/people be damned! And the cancer is moving down the ladder into our younger business and professional generation. We have become a "me" society as opposed to an "us" one. I hope this next presidential election will move us in a reverse direction. Since the sickness is greatest at the top, the solution/cure must start there and move down to the populace. It will take time to reverse, but it can and must be done. It is time for the pendulum to start swinging the other way!
So I was out of bed before 6 and into town having Cuban toast and coffee at Paradise Cafe. And reading the morning papers. I love reading the morning papers!
By the time the sun came up, I was ready for my morning walk. I did the waterfront. It was interesting watching the island come to life. Tino rode by me on his bicycle. It was good to see him. He starts his day at 7 am a few mornings a week. This former federal government investigator from Chicago is now a dock master at the A & B Marina.
Since it was only 8 am, I stopped at my daughter Lisa's on the way home. Participated in breakfast with my 3 and 2 year old grandchildren. Always an interesting experience! Played with them a bit. Made plans to have dinner with them tonight. And then I was off to my Raccoon Key home to write to all of you.
And I still have the whole day ahead of me!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Great Christmas party last night at Larry and Christine Smith's home! The joy of the holiday season permeated the occasion. It was a very happy evening!
You have heard me mention Christine in the past. She is a school teacher by day and a singer by night. That ...by night... thing sounds sort of ominous. What I failed to share with you previously is that she also was Teacher of the Year for the entire school system a couple of years ago. A charming and talented woman! And last night the perfect hostess!
Larry is recognized as the premier musician in Key West. His gig the last few years has been the Pier House, a huge first class resort at the gulf end of Duval Street. He is responsible for all entertainment at the Pier House and can also be found several evenings a week at the old Wine Galley there playing the piano and singing.
Larry has a special talent in that he tends to bring people together. Strangers become acquaintances. Acquaintances become friends. And it all starts at the Wine Galley with Larry.
Ergo most of the people last night knew each other and had become friends via the Larry/Wine Galley process.
There were about 35 enjoying the evening.
Harlan flew in from Costa Rica for the party. He actually arrived during the party and was picked up at the airport. Larry just returned a few days ago after spending a week with Harlan in Costa Rica.
Harlan found Key West many years ago. He had been a business man here and eventually semi retired. He has a limousine business in New York which he has been able to successfully run out of his Key West home with only an occasional trip to New York.
Harlan also discovered Costa Rica along the way. And he fell in love while there.
Harlan is in his mid 50s. A warm guy. But his appearance and actions is brush New York City. Sort of the Rudy Giuliani type.
Harlan fathered a child with his love. The little girl was born several weeks ago. Harlan was excited. This was his first born. I recall in a telephone conversation his telling me he could look in her eyes and see himself.
His daughter lived only two weeks.
Harlan was a bit different last night. His eyes are quieter. His gait slower. The bounce in his step missing. His motions subtle.
Today Harlan flies to New York to take a look at his business. He is coming back a step at a time.
Back to the party. A tremendous success! The booze flowed. The food was unique. A pizza party! Other than a sporting event, I had never been to a per se pizza party.
It worked! It was terrific! The holiday warmth enveloped all. And I had the feeling that a smiling Santa was perched on Larry's fence watching over us!
You have heard me mention Christine in the past. She is a school teacher by day and a singer by night. That ...by night... thing sounds sort of ominous. What I failed to share with you previously is that she also was Teacher of the Year for the entire school system a couple of years ago. A charming and talented woman! And last night the perfect hostess!
Larry is recognized as the premier musician in Key West. His gig the last few years has been the Pier House, a huge first class resort at the gulf end of Duval Street. He is responsible for all entertainment at the Pier House and can also be found several evenings a week at the old Wine Galley there playing the piano and singing.
Larry has a special talent in that he tends to bring people together. Strangers become acquaintances. Acquaintances become friends. And it all starts at the Wine Galley with Larry.
Ergo most of the people last night knew each other and had become friends via the Larry/Wine Galley process.
There were about 35 enjoying the evening.
Harlan flew in from Costa Rica for the party. He actually arrived during the party and was picked up at the airport. Larry just returned a few days ago after spending a week with Harlan in Costa Rica.
Harlan found Key West many years ago. He had been a business man here and eventually semi retired. He has a limousine business in New York which he has been able to successfully run out of his Key West home with only an occasional trip to New York.
Harlan also discovered Costa Rica along the way. And he fell in love while there.
Harlan is in his mid 50s. A warm guy. But his appearance and actions is brush New York City. Sort of the Rudy Giuliani type.
Harlan fathered a child with his love. The little girl was born several weeks ago. Harlan was excited. This was his first born. I recall in a telephone conversation his telling me he could look in her eyes and see himself.
His daughter lived only two weeks.
Harlan was a bit different last night. His eyes are quieter. His gait slower. The bounce in his step missing. His motions subtle.
Today Harlan flies to New York to take a look at his business. He is coming back a step at a time.
Back to the party. A tremendous success! The booze flowed. The food was unique. A pizza party! Other than a sporting event, I had never been to a per se pizza party.
It worked! It was terrific! The holiday warmth enveloped all. And I had the feeling that a smiling Santa was perched on Larry's fence watching over us!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
I survived! It was a great fishing day! And I did not get sick!
We all caught fish. And what a variety! Snapper, dolphin, tuna, barracuda, mackerel, baby shark and snook. And to a man we were sportsmen. All were released!
John had the most fun and worked the hardest. He was tested to the ultimate.
John is a retired financier from New York. The keys seems to be a gathering place for retired financiers. He is a slight person stature wise. 5' 4" and weighs about 130 soaking wet.
John hooked a sailfish. About an 8 footer. We buckled John into the chair. He fought this denizen of the deep for 1 1/2 hours. This slight older man versus the magnificent water giant! The veins in John's neck were bulging and the sweat falling from his brow in buckets as he fought to capture the fish. A battle it was! Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea!
In the end the fish won! The line broke. But what a battle! And John was not disappointed. Actually he was relieved the encounter was over!
Back to the Islander. Showered. Needed the shower desperately. Salt sticks to your body and makes one feel grungy all over.
We then were off to the Lorelei. After a few drinks too many we decided to walk to the Islamorada Fish Company for dinner. We thought it was only 200 feet south on route 1. What a mistake we made! It was more than a mile! But we made it! Arriving was a victory under the circumstances. Thank God Islamorada has wide side walks running along side route 1!
Dinner was absolutely outstanding! Stone crabs! Large ones! By the plateful! Succulent, mouth watering delicious!
The mile plus walk back to the Islander was easier. We were all relatively sober by that point. I could not wait to fall into bed. And when I did, I was out immediately and slept like a baby all night.
This evening I will be back in Key West. Larry and Christine Smith are throwing a Christmas party. They are great hosts! I am looking forward to sharing the evening with them and their friends.
We all caught fish. And what a variety! Snapper, dolphin, tuna, barracuda, mackerel, baby shark and snook. And to a man we were sportsmen. All were released!
John had the most fun and worked the hardest. He was tested to the ultimate.
John is a retired financier from New York. The keys seems to be a gathering place for retired financiers. He is a slight person stature wise. 5' 4" and weighs about 130 soaking wet.
John hooked a sailfish. About an 8 footer. We buckled John into the chair. He fought this denizen of the deep for 1 1/2 hours. This slight older man versus the magnificent water giant! The veins in John's neck were bulging and the sweat falling from his brow in buckets as he fought to capture the fish. A battle it was! Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea!
In the end the fish won! The line broke. But what a battle! And John was not disappointed. Actually he was relieved the encounter was over!
Back to the Islander. Showered. Needed the shower desperately. Salt sticks to your body and makes one feel grungy all over.
We then were off to the Lorelei. After a few drinks too many we decided to walk to the Islamorada Fish Company for dinner. We thought it was only 200 feet south on route 1. What a mistake we made! It was more than a mile! But we made it! Arriving was a victory under the circumstances. Thank God Islamorada has wide side walks running along side route 1!
Dinner was absolutely outstanding! Stone crabs! Large ones! By the plateful! Succulent, mouth watering delicious!
The mile plus walk back to the Islander was easier. We were all relatively sober by that point. I could not wait to fall into bed. And when I did, I was out immediately and slept like a baby all night.
This evening I will be back in Key West. Larry and Christine Smith are throwing a Christmas party. They are great hosts! I am looking forward to sharing the evening with them and their friends.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
I am in Islamorada, sportfishing Capital of the World!
I was at Schooner's Wharf at cocktail time last night having a drink and watching the sun go down. One of my friends suggested we go fishing. And that is why we drove to Islamorada last night.
Islamorada is about 85 miles north of Key West. Part of the Florida keys.
I was at Schooner's Wharf at cocktail time last night having a drink and watching the sun go down. One of my friends suggested we go fishing. And that is why we drove to Islamorada last night.
Islamorada is about 85 miles north of Key West. Part of the Florida keys.
We checked into the Islander. A 1960s type motel complex. Clean, neat and reasonable. It sits on a 1,500 foot beach on the Atlantic.
Fishing is today. Last night was partying.
We started at the Lorelei. What a great place! An open air bar on the gulf side. Big! Even had a 3 piece band. Packed with people enjoying themselves. We had fun. I recommend this place. Something occurred to me while I was enjoying myself and the people there. They were primarily, if not all, senior citizens. I am a senior citizen so the age genre is of no concern to me. It brought to mind however the difference between Islamorada and Key West. One of the reasons I settled in Key West was that the people were of all ages. And more importantly they all socialized together. There was no division based on age. I found that true of Looe Key also.
Looe Key is 20 miles north of Key West. I have visited the bar there bearing the same name as the key several times. Either to hear my friend Howard Livingston and his Mile Marker 24 band or my friend Yankee Jack. Each time I noted the crowd was composed primarily of seniors.
Looe Key is 20 miles north of Key West. I have visited the bar there bearing the same name as the key several times. Either to hear my friend Howard Livingston and his Mile Marker 24 band or my friend Yankee Jack. Each time I noted the crowd was composed primarily of seniors.
The preceding is merely an observation. Nothing more.
Anyhow there came a time when we had to eat! You can only drink so long. We ended up at a place called Ziggie and Mad Dog's. Only in the keys! I do not recommend it. Very expensive and the quality left much to be desired.
The only thing I ate that was terrific was the lobster bisque. My salmon sucked. One of the guys ordered the 40 ounce prime rib. Much too large! But he had the desire for prime rib. We all had a taste. It was humongous! It too sucked! And cost $44!
Desert was not much better. The specialty was a chocolate cake. It had that 3 day taste. So no more Ziggie and Ma Dog's.
We were supposed to go out on the boat early this morning. We are still waiting. Something wrong with the motor.
A fisherman I am not! So I really don't know why I came except for the fun of it. The last time I went fishing was about 2 years ago. A friend had a new 65 foot fishing boat. He invited me and a doctor friend out for the day. The boat also had 2 crew members. If you can afford to buy a new boat that large, you can afford a crew! We went out 65 miles. Everyone gets close to Cuba here when they go out in boats. We were only 25 miles from Cuba.
I spent the day over the side feeding the fishes. Was I sick! My only comfort was that the doctor was sick right next to me!
So again I do not know why I am here. And I wonder what tomorrow's tale will tell you of today's soon to be experienced adventures on the boat. May I be well! May I survive!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday was a quiet day. As it should be!
I was up early because I could not sleep. Had Cuban toast and coffee at Paradise Cafe. Sat for a long time reading the Sunday papers.
Then drove over to Lisa's to play with my grandchildren. Too much for a tired old man!
Sunday afternoon is pro football time. And it is Don's place time!
Don's place is Don's Millionaire Bar on Truman Ave. It is a far cry from what the name connotes! It is a plain and simple bar in a beat up old building. Nothing fancy. Has an outside bar which is also lacking in anything fancy. But the atmosphere is upscale warm!
Don is a first class person! He deserted the newspaper business in Buffalo and came down to Key West for the better life. And not only did he find a better life for himself, he found a way to provide a better life for the locals here.
Everyone goes to Don's! It solely serves booze. Open from 7 am to 4 am. Don says he does his biggest business from 7 in the morning to 11 in the morning. Explains the special nature of his clientele at that time.
Don is personally a very generous person. A perfect example is Thanksgiving when he cooks and puts out turkey dinners and the works free for his customers. I think the number was 22 turkeys this past Thanksgiving.
Sunday pro football watching is the best at Don's. He has TV sets all over the place. I watched 5 different games at one time outside. It is only confusing the first few minutes.
Don also cooks on an outside grill cheeseburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings on Sunday afternoons for the football customers. They are plentiful and free. Done in a very homey atmosphere.
I went home around 5 and was in bed early watching old movies till I fell asleep.
I was up early because I could not sleep. Had Cuban toast and coffee at Paradise Cafe. Sat for a long time reading the Sunday papers.
Then drove over to Lisa's to play with my grandchildren. Too much for a tired old man!
Sunday afternoon is pro football time. And it is Don's place time!
Don's place is Don's Millionaire Bar on Truman Ave. It is a far cry from what the name connotes! It is a plain and simple bar in a beat up old building. Nothing fancy. Has an outside bar which is also lacking in anything fancy. But the atmosphere is upscale warm!
Don is a first class person! He deserted the newspaper business in Buffalo and came down to Key West for the better life. And not only did he find a better life for himself, he found a way to provide a better life for the locals here.
Everyone goes to Don's! It solely serves booze. Open from 7 am to 4 am. Don says he does his biggest business from 7 in the morning to 11 in the morning. Explains the special nature of his clientele at that time.
Don is personally a very generous person. A perfect example is Thanksgiving when he cooks and puts out turkey dinners and the works free for his customers. I think the number was 22 turkeys this past Thanksgiving.
Sunday pro football watching is the best at Don's. He has TV sets all over the place. I watched 5 different games at one time outside. It is only confusing the first few minutes.
Don also cooks on an outside grill cheeseburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings on Sunday afternoons for the football customers. They are plentiful and free. Done in a very homey atmosphere.
I went home around 5 and was in bed early watching old movies till I fell asleep.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
I am up before the sun this morning. Did not sleep well. Tossed and turned. There are benefits to a sleepless night however. I got to watch the 1,876th rerun of Easy Rider. I love the Jack Nicholson scene where he orders the toast. Another benefit is that I shall watch the sun rise. A bright orange ball breaking over the water.
Stopped in to see and hear Bobby Nesbitt at Kwest last night. A great voice and an equally great personality! He was singing Christmas carols and jingles. Someone mentioned that Christmas was two weeks from this coming Tuesday. I did not realize it was that close. When you live alone things like that sometimes get away from you.
Walked down Duval to La Tratatoria. Had dinner at the bar. Good food. Erin is the bartender. She was one of the lovelies at the James Bond party the other night. She was striking in her stilettos and black slinky dress at the party. One of the stand outs!
I was home and to bed early. Maybe too early. Probably the reason I did not sleep well.
Stopped in to see and hear Bobby Nesbitt at Kwest last night. A great voice and an equally great personality! He was singing Christmas carols and jingles. Someone mentioned that Christmas was two weeks from this coming Tuesday. I did not realize it was that close. When you live alone things like that sometimes get away from you.
Walked down Duval to La Tratatoria. Had dinner at the bar. Good food. Erin is the bartender. She was one of the lovelies at the James Bond party the other night. She was striking in her stilettos and black slinky dress at the party. One of the stand outs!
I was home and to bed early. Maybe too early. Probably the reason I did not sleep well.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Yesterday was a healthy and not so healthy day!
Exercise wise it was a 10 plus! Food and drink wise, a disaster!
As the sun was rising, I rode my bike around the island. Later I took a long walk. In the afternoon I swam for about an hour. Just burning with energy!
Last night I enjoyed a spectacular meal at Pisces. Many consider Pisces the finest restaurant in Key West. It is also pricey, but worth it! Fortunately a friend had invited me so I was a guest.
We ate upstairs on an open roof top dining area.
I started with a watermelon martini. You must try one! The watermelon is soaked in vodka for 2 weeks. The bottle is then frozen in a chunk of ice. It is served into one's martini glass tr the table directly from the ice chunk. Absolutely out of sight!
So good that I had a second!
I was on a diet earlier in the year and was fortunate to have lost 50 pounds. And I have kept it off! But I watch like a hawk every day what I eat and drink. For example, I have not had meat in 10 months. Last night I blew it all! I ordered lamb chops! To die for!
At this point I said to myself what the hell! And so I ordered home made Carmel ice cream with hot chocolate syrup for desert. Ohhhh! Wait! I was not yet finished. I ended the evening with an espresso martini!
I did not even feel guilty! I felt good after that glorious meal! I finished the evening with a long walk along Duval Street.
This morning when I awoke I immediately went to the scale anticipating a disaster. I lost a pound! You explain.
Exercise wise it was a 10 plus! Food and drink wise, a disaster!
As the sun was rising, I rode my bike around the island. Later I took a long walk. In the afternoon I swam for about an hour. Just burning with energy!
Last night I enjoyed a spectacular meal at Pisces. Many consider Pisces the finest restaurant in Key West. It is also pricey, but worth it! Fortunately a friend had invited me so I was a guest.
We ate upstairs on an open roof top dining area.
I started with a watermelon martini. You must try one! The watermelon is soaked in vodka for 2 weeks. The bottle is then frozen in a chunk of ice. It is served into one's martini glass tr the table directly from the ice chunk. Absolutely out of sight!
So good that I had a second!
I was on a diet earlier in the year and was fortunate to have lost 50 pounds. And I have kept it off! But I watch like a hawk every day what I eat and drink. For example, I have not had meat in 10 months. Last night I blew it all! I ordered lamb chops! To die for!
At this point I said to myself what the hell! And so I ordered home made Carmel ice cream with hot chocolate syrup for desert. Ohhhh! Wait! I was not yet finished. I ended the evening with an espresso martini!
I did not even feel guilty! I felt good after that glorious meal! I finished the evening with a long walk along Duval Street.
This morning when I awoke I immediately went to the scale anticipating a disaster. I lost a pound! You explain.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Last night was James Bond!
And Louie!
And Louie and Christine!
I refer to Louis and Christine Scaramuzzi, owners of Great Events Catering. Two of the greatest and nicest people in Key West!
Today is Louie's 40th birthday. Last night his loving wife Christine threw him a surprise birthday party.
The party theme was James Bond. The event was held inside a large hanger at the Key West airport. A massive facility. And the decorations played into the James Bond theme. From sport cars to a gambling table to Bond movie music.
About 250 attended. Guests were asked to dress as James Bond characters. And they did!
The men were generally regaled in black tuxes or white dinner jackets. Some merely wore a black eye patch. The women looked divine! All were dressed to the nines! And all were as beautiful and as tempting as the ladies who pursued or sought to do wrong to James Bond. And as the with the Bond ladies, bosoms were tastefully in full bloom!
Christine surprised Louie by sending him off to a massage prior to the party. She had a Rolls Royce pick him up. The driver had a tuxedo for Louie. The excuse was that Christine had chartered a plane to take him to dinner somewhere. Cool!
The Rolls was driven into the hanger. And when Louie got out, 250 voices in unison shouted SURPRISE! And surprised he was!
Happy birthday Louie! And thank you Christine! It was a great evening!
And Louie!
And Louie and Christine!
I refer to Louis and Christine Scaramuzzi, owners of Great Events Catering. Two of the greatest and nicest people in Key West!
Today is Louie's 40th birthday. Last night his loving wife Christine threw him a surprise birthday party.
The party theme was James Bond. The event was held inside a large hanger at the Key West airport. A massive facility. And the decorations played into the James Bond theme. From sport cars to a gambling table to Bond movie music.
About 250 attended. Guests were asked to dress as James Bond characters. And they did!
The men were generally regaled in black tuxes or white dinner jackets. Some merely wore a black eye patch. The women looked divine! All were dressed to the nines! And all were as beautiful and as tempting as the ladies who pursued or sought to do wrong to James Bond. And as the with the Bond ladies, bosoms were tastefully in full bloom!
Christine surprised Louie by sending him off to a massage prior to the party. She had a Rolls Royce pick him up. The driver had a tuxedo for Louie. The excuse was that Christine had chartered a plane to take him to dinner somewhere. Cool!
The Rolls was driven into the hanger. And when Louie got out, 250 voices in unison shouted SURPRISE! And surprised he was!
Happy birthday Louie! And thank you Christine! It was a great evening!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
What a beautiful morning! The sun is shining. Not a cloud in the sky. The water is blue and racing. The sun is reflecting off the palm trees. God is in His heaven, all is right with the world!
Yesterday was a good day!
Played golf in the morning. Played in a threesome with Yankee Jack and Tino. We played a skins game. All even at the end of 18 so no one had to pay anyone any money. It was a close call for me however. Teeing off at 17 I only had 2 skins. But luck was with me. I won the 17th hole and picked up 4 skins!
Last evening was spectacular! I attended the Montessori fundraiser at the Southernmost Beach Cafe. Absolute beauty and perfection!
The event was entitled a Winter White Wonderland in the Sand. Obviously on the beach. And all the decor in white. A magnificent white tent with chandeliers. Tables and chairs all ensconced in white. And reindeer cloaked in white sparkling lights.
Attire was white also. Mandated. The women were cloaked in white long, white cocktail dresses and white pant suits. All absolutely gorgeous! And the men were similarly attired, except in white shirts and pants. No dresses for the men, except for Ruby who was present and is the new Queen Mother of Key West.
Veronica West spearheaded and hosted the event. And well was it done. This is her charity! Veronica is a former model and still possesses the stature and beauty of her former occupation. She was a sight to behold in her lovely white cocktail dress which was complimented by her charming and gracious personality.
Good company, good friends, a good cause!
All in all, a spectacular evening!
Yesterday was a good day!
Played golf in the morning. Played in a threesome with Yankee Jack and Tino. We played a skins game. All even at the end of 18 so no one had to pay anyone any money. It was a close call for me however. Teeing off at 17 I only had 2 skins. But luck was with me. I won the 17th hole and picked up 4 skins!
Last evening was spectacular! I attended the Montessori fundraiser at the Southernmost Beach Cafe. Absolute beauty and perfection!
The event was entitled a Winter White Wonderland in the Sand. Obviously on the beach. And all the decor in white. A magnificent white tent with chandeliers. Tables and chairs all ensconced in white. And reindeer cloaked in white sparkling lights.
Attire was white also. Mandated. The women were cloaked in white long, white cocktail dresses and white pant suits. All absolutely gorgeous! And the men were similarly attired, except in white shirts and pants. No dresses for the men, except for Ruby who was present and is the new Queen Mother of Key West.
Veronica West spearheaded and hosted the event. And well was it done. This is her charity! Veronica is a former model and still possesses the stature and beauty of her former occupation. She was a sight to behold in her lovely white cocktail dress which was complimented by her charming and gracious personality.
Good company, good friends, a good cause!
All in all, a spectacular evening!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Yesterday was overcast. A lazy day for me. I stayed around the house and read.
I finished a book on Bush that I had been reading. A Tragic Legacy by Glenn Greenwald. Frightening! Talks about how a good vs. evil mentality destroyed the Bush presidency.
And now the Iranian news of the last 48 hours! What did the President know and when? Where is the truth? What is the truth?
There is something sick about the way our government is operating at its highest levels.
We are being mislead.
I finished a book on Bush that I had been reading. A Tragic Legacy by Glenn Greenwald. Frightening! Talks about how a good vs. evil mentality destroyed the Bush presidency.
And now the Iranian news of the last 48 hours! What did the President know and when? Where is the truth? What is the truth?
There is something sick about the way our government is operating at its highest levels.
We are being mislead.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Yesterday was a lazy day. The affects of the sun from my Sunday lobster diving excursion were still upon me. I spent the day reading and sleeping off and on. What a tough life!
The rat saga continues. The exterminator finally showed up and the situation seems under control. Professional assistance is always better than self help!
You will recall that when I was reporting on the rat problem, I jokingly suggested that I might later find out they were a protected endangered species. Well, almost! Yesterday's local newspaper had an article on wood rats and pythons. An interesting topic in and of themselves! We all want to know about rats and pythons.
Seems that wood rats are common in the Key Largo area. Key Largo is about 120 miles north of Key West. Three 8 foot pythons have been caught in the Key Largo area. Pythons apparently feast on wood rats. Woods rats are a federally protected species. So what happens now? Are they going to prosecute the pythons? The problem is that there are apparently 30,000 25 foot pythons in the Everglades. The fear is that the pythons might emigrate and devour the wood rats. I don't know which species here is the worse? From my perspective, bad luck to both!
Anyhow my rats were not wood rats. So I am told. However I am not a sophisticate. A rat is a rat and damn them all!
Preschool has become very import in the development of our young children. Those 3 and 4 year olds who have not had the opportunity to attend preschool will be at an ill advantage when they enter kindergarten. Unfortunately pre school is generally an expensive out of pocket thing. Many parents cannot afford it, especially in our present economic society.
Montessori Children's School of Key West is one of the best, if not the best, preschool in the area. And expensive!
Tomorrow evening there is a fundraiser to assist minority children whose parents might not be able to financially send them to Montessori. The fundraiser will be a party event from 7-9 pm at the Southernmost Beach Cafe at the Atlantic end of Duval Street. Tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased at the door or keystix.com. Try to attend. It is a most worthy cause and the setting and event will be fun.
I have a selfish reason for supporting and recommending this event. My daughter Lisa is on the committee and my 3 year old grandson will be starting Montessori pre school in January. My grandson's tuition will be paid by his parents. He is fortunate in this regard. However not all children share this financial luxury. That is the way of the world. Opportunity however should be equal. The scholarships derived from this fund raising event help balance the playing field a bit.
I hope I will see some of my friends tomorrow night at the Southernmost for this special event!
The rat saga continues. The exterminator finally showed up and the situation seems under control. Professional assistance is always better than self help!
You will recall that when I was reporting on the rat problem, I jokingly suggested that I might later find out they were a protected endangered species. Well, almost! Yesterday's local newspaper had an article on wood rats and pythons. An interesting topic in and of themselves! We all want to know about rats and pythons.
Seems that wood rats are common in the Key Largo area. Key Largo is about 120 miles north of Key West. Three 8 foot pythons have been caught in the Key Largo area. Pythons apparently feast on wood rats. Woods rats are a federally protected species. So what happens now? Are they going to prosecute the pythons? The problem is that there are apparently 30,000 25 foot pythons in the Everglades. The fear is that the pythons might emigrate and devour the wood rats. I don't know which species here is the worse? From my perspective, bad luck to both!
Anyhow my rats were not wood rats. So I am told. However I am not a sophisticate. A rat is a rat and damn them all!
Preschool has become very import in the development of our young children. Those 3 and 4 year olds who have not had the opportunity to attend preschool will be at an ill advantage when they enter kindergarten. Unfortunately pre school is generally an expensive out of pocket thing. Many parents cannot afford it, especially in our present economic society.
Montessori Children's School of Key West is one of the best, if not the best, preschool in the area. And expensive!
Tomorrow evening there is a fundraiser to assist minority children whose parents might not be able to financially send them to Montessori. The fundraiser will be a party event from 7-9 pm at the Southernmost Beach Cafe at the Atlantic end of Duval Street. Tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased at the door or keystix.com. Try to attend. It is a most worthy cause and the setting and event will be fun.
I have a selfish reason for supporting and recommending this event. My daughter Lisa is on the committee and my 3 year old grandson will be starting Montessori pre school in January. My grandson's tuition will be paid by his parents. He is fortunate in this regard. However not all children share this financial luxury. That is the way of the world. Opportunity however should be equal. The scholarships derived from this fund raising event help balance the playing field a bit.
I hope I will see some of my friends tomorrow night at the Southernmost for this special event!
Monday, December 3, 2007
I went craw fishing! Had not done so in many a year. Craw fishing is the local vernacular for diving for lobsters.
My hosts were friends Matt and Nancy. Matt is a deputy sheriff and Nancy works in county codes. Good people.
They picked me up at my dock with their boat and off we went!
We traveled 23 miles southwest in the Atlantic to Woman's Key. We were right on point for Cuba had we kept going which was only 65 more miles, give or take a few.
A very desolate location! Saw only 2 other boats all day. But desolate is good under these circumstances. We threw the anchor off about a 1/4 mile from shore. Snorkeling equipment is used. After putting on the fins, masks, gloves, etc., in we went.
This is not summer time. Even with the sun out and the air temperature 80, the water was initially COLD! We were located above a sand bar/reef which was about 4-5 feet below us.
I dive for lobster about as well as I have been playing golf lately. I did not catch even one! In fact I did not see any in my quest. Matt captured one, but he had to throw it back because it was too small. Nancy was the big winner for the day. She caught 14! Leave it to the women! She did her own thing. She swam several hundred feet away from us and closer to shore. Obviously she was either very lucky or knew what she was doing. I believe she knew what she was doing! Nancy is a Conch and grew up in these waters.
We returned to my dock just before sunset. We had been out on the boat a total of 5 hours.
I felt absolutely terrific at this point! Nothing like being out on the ocean on a nice day! However I was exhausted. Dropped into bed and fell into a deep sleep for 2 hours. When I awoke my skin was smarting and I was cool all over. I looked in the mirror. I was red all over! Lobster red! And I was cool going to cold because I was heading for a mild case of sun stroke! No tee shirt, no hat while on the water.
I immediately greased my body all over, including my balding head, with after sun lotion, went back to bed and slept the whole night. And a great sleep it was! Woke refreshed. The red is gone. The chill is gone. I itch a bit and my skin feels tight in some places. Hope I do not peel.
I agree. I acted stupid not wearing appropriate attire at times on the boat. I did not even use lotion or sun block. All in all though, all things taken into account, I had a great time!
My hosts were friends Matt and Nancy. Matt is a deputy sheriff and Nancy works in county codes. Good people.
They picked me up at my dock with their boat and off we went!
We traveled 23 miles southwest in the Atlantic to Woman's Key. We were right on point for Cuba had we kept going which was only 65 more miles, give or take a few.
A very desolate location! Saw only 2 other boats all day. But desolate is good under these circumstances. We threw the anchor off about a 1/4 mile from shore. Snorkeling equipment is used. After putting on the fins, masks, gloves, etc., in we went.
This is not summer time. Even with the sun out and the air temperature 80, the water was initially COLD! We were located above a sand bar/reef which was about 4-5 feet below us.
I dive for lobster about as well as I have been playing golf lately. I did not catch even one! In fact I did not see any in my quest. Matt captured one, but he had to throw it back because it was too small. Nancy was the big winner for the day. She caught 14! Leave it to the women! She did her own thing. She swam several hundred feet away from us and closer to shore. Obviously she was either very lucky or knew what she was doing. I believe she knew what she was doing! Nancy is a Conch and grew up in these waters.
We returned to my dock just before sunset. We had been out on the boat a total of 5 hours.
I felt absolutely terrific at this point! Nothing like being out on the ocean on a nice day! However I was exhausted. Dropped into bed and fell into a deep sleep for 2 hours. When I awoke my skin was smarting and I was cool all over. I looked in the mirror. I was red all over! Lobster red! And I was cool going to cold because I was heading for a mild case of sun stroke! No tee shirt, no hat while on the water.
I immediately greased my body all over, including my balding head, with after sun lotion, went back to bed and slept the whole night. And a great sleep it was! Woke refreshed. The red is gone. The chill is gone. I itch a bit and my skin feels tight in some places. Hope I do not peel.
I agree. I acted stupid not wearing appropriate attire at times on the boat. I did not even use lotion or sun block. All in all though, all things taken into account, I had a great time!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Sunday morning in Key West is like Sunday mornings everywhere. It is the Sunday papers! I was up at the crack of dawn, drove to the gas station and bought the Key West Citizen. I then sat on the dock with a hot cup of coffee and perused the paper. Always a joy!
Christmas has arrived in Key West. First there was the appearance of Santa at the Yacht Club's children's party Thursday. Last night was the Key West Christmas parade.
And what a parade it was!
Contrary to what the world perceives Key West as, this is a most conservative community. In reality it is small town America with all of a small town's values. The wild side of Key West exists for the tourists. It is 100 % in their minds and 50 % reality.
The parade route was crowded with local families. Children all over the place. Great parade! Typical of what a proud community can do. Some of the highlights included Andy's Scooters which featured decorated electric cars. The fireman did terrific also! Candy thrown to children of all ages from a fire truck. Mr. and Mrs. Claus were obviously there also. Riding in a convertible in the middle of the parade. I was a bit disappointed though. No Rudolph, no reindeer.
Kids are strange! My 2 year old granddaughter's favorite was Frosty the Snowman. She is still afraid of Santa. You will recall she nearly choked her mother in fear the other night at the Yacht Club when it was her turn to sit on Santa's lap.
It is only December 2nd. Still more than 3 weeks to Christmas. I have a feeling that that stretch will begin to feel like our presidential campaign which has been going on for more than a year with still 11 months to election day. Sometimes too much can be too much!
Big day today! I am going crawfishing. To those of you not from or in the keys, that means I will be diving for Florida lobsters. Wait till you hear about today tomorrow!
Christmas has arrived in Key West. First there was the appearance of Santa at the Yacht Club's children's party Thursday. Last night was the Key West Christmas parade.
And what a parade it was!
Contrary to what the world perceives Key West as, this is a most conservative community. In reality it is small town America with all of a small town's values. The wild side of Key West exists for the tourists. It is 100 % in their minds and 50 % reality.
The parade route was crowded with local families. Children all over the place. Great parade! Typical of what a proud community can do. Some of the highlights included Andy's Scooters which featured decorated electric cars. The fireman did terrific also! Candy thrown to children of all ages from a fire truck. Mr. and Mrs. Claus were obviously there also. Riding in a convertible in the middle of the parade. I was a bit disappointed though. No Rudolph, no reindeer.
Kids are strange! My 2 year old granddaughter's favorite was Frosty the Snowman. She is still afraid of Santa. You will recall she nearly choked her mother in fear the other night at the Yacht Club when it was her turn to sit on Santa's lap.
It is only December 2nd. Still more than 3 weeks to Christmas. I have a feeling that that stretch will begin to feel like our presidential campaign which has been going on for more than a year with still 11 months to election day. Sometimes too much can be too much!
Big day today! I am going crawfishing. To those of you not from or in the keys, that means I will be diving for Florida lobsters. Wait till you hear about today tomorrow!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Good morning! I am up early. The sun is yet to rise.
I had an interesting 2 hour business meeting yesterday morning. The location was the Paradise Cafe of course. Joining me was Sabrina Alfonso of Key West Symphony fame. Sabrina is the conductor of the Key West Symphony. I recently joined the Symphony board so we had much to discuss and I much to learn.
Sabrina is a Conch. Born in Key West! She went away to school. She opted to return after graduating. A boon for Key West that she did!
Ten years ago she turned a dream into reality when she founded the Key West Symphony. No easy task! And it takes a back seat to none.
January will mark the Symphony's tenth anniversary. It will be celebrated with a black tie dinner at the Westin. Watch the media for more pertinent information and attend if possible. I will also provide further details as the scheduled date approaches.
Dinner with friends at the Commodore last night. The Commodore is located on the second floor of a building directly on the marina where the big boats sit. The huge windows were all open last night. A great breeze, great company and great food! For some reason we got into champagne. It was a bubbly night!
The sun is rising. I can see through the window it breaking over the water. Sunrise never ceases to amaze me. Always spectacular! A rebirth every day!
I had an interesting 2 hour business meeting yesterday morning. The location was the Paradise Cafe of course. Joining me was Sabrina Alfonso of Key West Symphony fame. Sabrina is the conductor of the Key West Symphony. I recently joined the Symphony board so we had much to discuss and I much to learn.
Sabrina is a Conch. Born in Key West! She went away to school. She opted to return after graduating. A boon for Key West that she did!
Ten years ago she turned a dream into reality when she founded the Key West Symphony. No easy task! And it takes a back seat to none.
January will mark the Symphony's tenth anniversary. It will be celebrated with a black tie dinner at the Westin. Watch the media for more pertinent information and attend if possible. I will also provide further details as the scheduled date approaches.
Dinner with friends at the Commodore last night. The Commodore is located on the second floor of a building directly on the marina where the big boats sit. The huge windows were all open last night. A great breeze, great company and great food! For some reason we got into champagne. It was a bubbly night!
The sun is rising. I can see through the window it breaking over the water. Sunrise never ceases to amaze me. Always spectacular! A rebirth every day!
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