I enjoy Sundays!
I generally start the day by having breakfast with my grandchildren. I did so yesterday morning at Camille's. Of course Lisa and Cory were along also.
Lisa does not yet trust me to take the grandkids out alone. She is making noises that it is now ok to take Robert alone. But it has not occurred yet. She claims my attention span is too short to handle the both of them.
She forgets I helped raise 4 children of my own!
As I get older, I notice younger people seem to treat me increasingly as some inept person needing assistance. Such bullshit! However in reflecting on this issue I can recall treating my father in a similar fashion and now regret it!
Life teaches us!
Anyhow, back to Camille's.
It does not rain in South Florida this time of year. Or so the toothsayer sayeth!
It poured like hell while we were in Camille's. Monsoon type rain. Heavy and driven sideways. People were coming into the restaurant soaked and laughing. And of course saying it never rains this time of year!
I was watching the weather channel later in the day. The reporter said the only place it rained in Florida yesterday was Key West! She explained the cold front from the north, the high and low fronts, all came into conflict with each other for this uncommon event. And that cloud over Key West hung there for an hour because the fronts were all pushing against each other!
Too much for me to understand.
About 5 this mrorning I heard this horrendous noise. Strong wind! And was it raining again! I had to hurriedly close the doors and windows. My bedroom carpet was soaked and is still soaked. When it rains heavy in the keys, it does not rain straight down like everywhere else. It rains sideways! And so blows into a house if the rain and house openings are on the same line. My open doors and windows were on a natural blend with the driven rain at 5 am!
It never rains this time of the year in South Florida! Someone better tell the fella who turns the rain on and off!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
There is a new reataurant in Key West!
The New York Strip House!
A steak house!
I had dinner there last night.
Lets begin with the decor. Old west bordello! A brothel! Bright red walls! Bright red velour covered sofas! And dark wood!
And befitting its name Strip House, bare female breasts all over the place! Large photographs of bare bosoms! Tastefully done! A mouth watering description!
That was inside. Outside was quiet different.
I ate outside. Between you and I, inside was too heavy for me!
The restaurant is located in the newly redecorated Reach Hotel. The outside of the restaurant is the same as the restaurants of old that preceded the Strip House. The large terrace on the beach overlooking the ocean. The sound of the surf. The beauty of the palm trees swaying in the wind with the ocean right there as a backdrop.
And no titties! Just you and nature!
Only new chairs and tables. Simple. Nothing fancy.
I am happy to report the food is outstanding!
I rarely eat meat. But when in Rome do as the Romans do! So it was filet mignon for me! And creamed spinach and hash browns.
The filet was excellent! Moist and tasty. The creamed spinach to die for! I love creamed spinach! The hash browns were ok, nothing spectacular.
The bill was comaparable to other high end restaurants in Key West. Expensive! Worth the price however! Good food in the atmosphere described cannot be beat! I would love to sit outside on that terrace in that setting for dinner every evening!
The New York Strip House!
A steak house!
I had dinner there last night.
Lets begin with the decor. Old west bordello! A brothel! Bright red walls! Bright red velour covered sofas! And dark wood!
And befitting its name Strip House, bare female breasts all over the place! Large photographs of bare bosoms! Tastefully done! A mouth watering description!
That was inside. Outside was quiet different.
I ate outside. Between you and I, inside was too heavy for me!
The restaurant is located in the newly redecorated Reach Hotel. The outside of the restaurant is the same as the restaurants of old that preceded the Strip House. The large terrace on the beach overlooking the ocean. The sound of the surf. The beauty of the palm trees swaying in the wind with the ocean right there as a backdrop.
And no titties! Just you and nature!
Only new chairs and tables. Simple. Nothing fancy.
I am happy to report the food is outstanding!
I rarely eat meat. But when in Rome do as the Romans do! So it was filet mignon for me! And creamed spinach and hash browns.
The filet was excellent! Moist and tasty. The creamed spinach to die for! I love creamed spinach! The hash browns were ok, nothing spectacular.
The bill was comaparable to other high end restaurants in Key West. Expensive! Worth the price however! Good food in the atmosphere described cannot be beat! I would love to sit outside on that terrace in that setting for dinner every evening!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
I was up early this morning! Very early! Another glorious day in Key West!
I had breakfast and read the papers at Paradise Cafe. Then to Lisa's to see the grandchildren. Love it!
Last night was interesting and brief.
I started the evening at 6 at the Yacht Club. A drink and some sociality.
Then to the bar at La Te DA for drinks with some male companions. Some of my golfing buddies and a couple of other guys. The women were all at a Womankind function at Tenessee Williams. Two of them were singing. So it was guys night out!
What a drag! I prefer their wives! Ho ho! No, ha ha!
After a round of drinks, we went across the street to Alice's for dinner. A fine local restaurant! Serves Caribbean flavor. And cooking done by Alice herself!
Duck is one of the house specialtis! Crispy! So duck I had! Excellent!
It was now 8:45. Dinner had ended. Every one wanted to go home. No one wanted to go out. What a bunch of dead asses! As a result I was in bed at 9:15. Much too early! Woke at 3 and have been up ever since!
Their fault for not wanting to go out! My fault for not going out!
I had breakfast and read the papers at Paradise Cafe. Then to Lisa's to see the grandchildren. Love it!
Last night was interesting and brief.
I started the evening at 6 at the Yacht Club. A drink and some sociality.
Then to the bar at La Te DA for drinks with some male companions. Some of my golfing buddies and a couple of other guys. The women were all at a Womankind function at Tenessee Williams. Two of them were singing. So it was guys night out!
What a drag! I prefer their wives! Ho ho! No, ha ha!
After a round of drinks, we went across the street to Alice's for dinner. A fine local restaurant! Serves Caribbean flavor. And cooking done by Alice herself!
Duck is one of the house specialtis! Crispy! So duck I had! Excellent!
It was now 8:45. Dinner had ended. Every one wanted to go home. No one wanted to go out. What a bunch of dead asses! As a result I was in bed at 9:15. Much too early! Woke at 3 and have been up ever since!
Their fault for not wanting to go out! My fault for not going out!
Friday, March 28, 2008
I just watched the sun rise over the ocean! A bright orange ball!
The water is quiet. Like glass! There is no breeze.
Bocci last night!
A disaster!
We lost the first 2 games. We were not even in them! I left in the middle of the third game after receiving a call from Lisa to go to the drug store for her before it closed. That is what you do when you are retired! So I do not know who won the third game.
We were so good the first half of the season. Tied for first place a couple of times. However the last 2 times we have played, the magic is gone. Not just me. The whole team. We are in a slump!
Don of Don's Place suggested we played the easy teams in the first half and now have to face the tougher teams in the second half. Perhaps. However that should not make that much of a difference. Respectfully the other team did not beat us last night. We beat ourselves. We were not putting the ball where it has to go! Something we were able to do with regularity and confidence the first half of the season!
Oh, well! Isn't it wonderful that with all the national and worldly concerns we face, I have time to concern myself with our bocci game! Maybe our leaders and want to be leaders should play bocci. Not only would they find it relaxing, but it might also sharpen their perspectives on life and problems! It certainly helps me zero in on what is important in life!
The water is quiet. Like glass! There is no breeze.
Bocci last night!
A disaster!
We lost the first 2 games. We were not even in them! I left in the middle of the third game after receiving a call from Lisa to go to the drug store for her before it closed. That is what you do when you are retired! So I do not know who won the third game.
We were so good the first half of the season. Tied for first place a couple of times. However the last 2 times we have played, the magic is gone. Not just me. The whole team. We are in a slump!
Don of Don's Place suggested we played the easy teams in the first half and now have to face the tougher teams in the second half. Perhaps. However that should not make that much of a difference. Respectfully the other team did not beat us last night. We beat ourselves. We were not putting the ball where it has to go! Something we were able to do with regularity and confidence the first half of the season!
Oh, well! Isn't it wonderful that with all the national and worldly concerns we face, I have time to concern myself with our bocci game! Maybe our leaders and want to be leaders should play bocci. Not only would they find it relaxing, but it might also sharpen their perspectives on life and problems! It certainly helps me zero in on what is important in life!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Yankee Jack!
The sweetest nicest guy in the world!
Yankee is still on his diet. Has lost a total of 61 pounds to date! Good job Yankee! Stay with the diet! We all love you!
Golf day yesterday. My new Bobby Jones hybrid is serving me well! Great fairway club! I am really pounding the ball and straight! However I still cannot get off the tee. Several years ago I could get off the tee long and straight. However everything that followed sucked! Now I have remedied the fairway problem and hit like a sissy off the tee! That's golf!
Last night was Bobby Nesbitt evening at Kwest! As usual, absolutely fantastic! I love this part of my week!
Mary Jo is in her fourth week of chemotherapy. And doing well! She has yet to be sick! God bless!
While we were at Kwest, someone called her at the hospital where she was hooked up for her chemo. Donna was with her. We all sang to Mary Jo over the phone! Such is the love of all for all in Key West!
Later Donna met me at Antonia's for dinner. Not Donna the barmaid. Donna, Mary Jo's former partner.
We ate at the bar. Good conversation. Donna is a learned and worldly person!
I was up early this morning. Had to go to the doctor's office for tests preparatory to my annual physical in a couple of weeks. Blood work, urine, electrocardiogram, breath test, etc.
Had to starve for the tests. So afterwards I hurried to Paradise Cafe for cuban toast and coffee. What else!
Then I took a long fast walk.
The wind is still blowing here. Has been blowing for about 2 weeks. Down to 15 miles an hour now. However it keeps the temperature in the high 70s as opposed to the low 80s. I prefer it on the warmer side!
The sky is clear today. Only a few spots of clouds. And the water is so green and clear! Very noticeable!
I was running out of food! So it was off to the supermarket. Publix.
I never shopped while I worked. Now that I am retired I love going to the super market! First, it is something to do! Second, I always run into friends! Love it!
Tonight bocci! We shall rise from the ashes!
The sweetest nicest guy in the world!
Yankee is still on his diet. Has lost a total of 61 pounds to date! Good job Yankee! Stay with the diet! We all love you!
Golf day yesterday. My new Bobby Jones hybrid is serving me well! Great fairway club! I am really pounding the ball and straight! However I still cannot get off the tee. Several years ago I could get off the tee long and straight. However everything that followed sucked! Now I have remedied the fairway problem and hit like a sissy off the tee! That's golf!
Last night was Bobby Nesbitt evening at Kwest! As usual, absolutely fantastic! I love this part of my week!
Mary Jo is in her fourth week of chemotherapy. And doing well! She has yet to be sick! God bless!
While we were at Kwest, someone called her at the hospital where she was hooked up for her chemo. Donna was with her. We all sang to Mary Jo over the phone! Such is the love of all for all in Key West!
Later Donna met me at Antonia's for dinner. Not Donna the barmaid. Donna, Mary Jo's former partner.
We ate at the bar. Good conversation. Donna is a learned and worldly person!
I was up early this morning. Had to go to the doctor's office for tests preparatory to my annual physical in a couple of weeks. Blood work, urine, electrocardiogram, breath test, etc.
Had to starve for the tests. So afterwards I hurried to Paradise Cafe for cuban toast and coffee. What else!
Then I took a long fast walk.
The wind is still blowing here. Has been blowing for about 2 weeks. Down to 15 miles an hour now. However it keeps the temperature in the high 70s as opposed to the low 80s. I prefer it on the warmer side!
The sky is clear today. Only a few spots of clouds. And the water is so green and clear! Very noticeable!
I was running out of food! So it was off to the supermarket. Publix.
I never shopped while I worked. Now that I am retired I love going to the super market! First, it is something to do! Second, I always run into friends! Love it!
Tonight bocci! We shall rise from the ashes!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
I am up early! Still dark outside! Golf today!
I went to a book signing at the Dewey House last night. The Dewey House is part of the Southernmost complex. Lisa is Sales Manager at Southernmost and knowing the political junkie I am induced me to attend.
I am glad she did!
The book is So You Think You Can Be President? The authors are Iris Burnett and Clay Greager.
I started glancing thru the book when I went to bed last night. It is a political spoof! Political satire at its best!
For example: "Absentee Voting: As in "I don't remeber seeing anyone in that booth but the levers were pulled."
Or: "Intern: An individual who is always willing to be helpful and for the honor of being close to power will "in tern" provide the elected official with lots of extra curricular activity-especially during periods when a spouse is away."
The book signing was well attended. Quite a successful event. Southernmost is to be complimented for sponsoring the event.
I got to speak briefly with both authors. Apparently Clay Greager lived in Key West at one time or may still do so. Even got a hug and kiss from Iris Burnett. Only because she loves my Lisa so much!
Interesting people!
As I understood the story, Iris and Clay did not know each other prior to the book writing. Had never met before. Clay overheard Iris talking on the telephone and was sparked by her quips. When she was finished, he walked up to her and said you and I should write a book togehter. And so they did! And the seed for So You Think You Can Be President was sown!
Then to La Tratattoria for dinner at the bar.
I can sense the season is over. The streets are emptying out. There are parking places. The restaurants are less full. Some even close to deserted.
I enjoy Key West more in the off season. Less hustle and bustle. However I feel for the merchants since it is a long way to the next busy time here.
After dinner, I went over to the Wine Galley. Larry Smith's home away from home! As usual, the place was packed! It seems the season has no impact on the crowds he attracts. God bless and continued success Larry!
Saw Kathleen Peace there. Have not seen her in several weeks. I like her very much! A dynamic woman! She has it all going for her! A hug and a kiss and my evening was
made!
Poor Donna the barmaid had a cold! A bad one at that! Work for her last night was like digging ditches!
I was a good boy! One diet coke and home to bed!
I went to a book signing at the Dewey House last night. The Dewey House is part of the Southernmost complex. Lisa is Sales Manager at Southernmost and knowing the political junkie I am induced me to attend.
I am glad she did!
The book is So You Think You Can Be President? The authors are Iris Burnett and Clay Greager.
I started glancing thru the book when I went to bed last night. It is a political spoof! Political satire at its best!
For example: "Absentee Voting: As in "I don't remeber seeing anyone in that booth but the levers were pulled."
Or: "Intern: An individual who is always willing to be helpful and for the honor of being close to power will "in tern" provide the elected official with lots of extra curricular activity-especially during periods when a spouse is away."
The book signing was well attended. Quite a successful event. Southernmost is to be complimented for sponsoring the event.
I got to speak briefly with both authors. Apparently Clay Greager lived in Key West at one time or may still do so. Even got a hug and kiss from Iris Burnett. Only because she loves my Lisa so much!
Interesting people!
As I understood the story, Iris and Clay did not know each other prior to the book writing. Had never met before. Clay overheard Iris talking on the telephone and was sparked by her quips. When she was finished, he walked up to her and said you and I should write a book togehter. And so they did! And the seed for So You Think You Can Be President was sown!
Then to La Tratattoria for dinner at the bar.
I can sense the season is over. The streets are emptying out. There are parking places. The restaurants are less full. Some even close to deserted.
I enjoy Key West more in the off season. Less hustle and bustle. However I feel for the merchants since it is a long way to the next busy time here.
After dinner, I went over to the Wine Galley. Larry Smith's home away from home! As usual, the place was packed! It seems the season has no impact on the crowds he attracts. God bless and continued success Larry!
Saw Kathleen Peace there. Have not seen her in several weeks. I like her very much! A dynamic woman! She has it all going for her! A hug and a kiss and my evening was
made!
Poor Donna the barmaid had a cold! A bad one at that! Work for her last night was like digging ditches!
I was a good boy! One diet coke and home to bed!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The weather got cold last night! It is even colder this morning!
The wind is blowing strong from the north. The palm tree branches are bending. There are 2-3 foot waves in front of my home!
And yet a high of 80 degrees is predicted for today!
I shall not complain!
I had fun last night!
Remember my cousin Maurice who was visiting me last week? One of his daughters is Linda. Linda was in Key West last night. With husband Pete and friend Terry.
We partied a bit! Runs in the family!
Dinner at Antonia's. Drinks and listening to jazz afterward at the Pier House with Larry Smith.
We had a great time!
Linda was born in Utica. She is the same age as my oldest daughter Beth. They attended grammar school together. Then my cousin Maurice moved to the Washington, DC area. So I seldom see Linda. I think the last time we were together was about 5 years ago for Lisa's wedding.
To start, Linda is a knockout appearance wise! Trim, blond and lovely! Too good looking in fact! Strikingly so!
And in a long slinky red dress!
We arrived at the Wine Galley and Larry Smith before Pete and Terry. I walked in with this lovely on my arm! All eyes looked up! What was Louis doing? My friends June and Bill Nelson were the first to greet us. I could see the look in their eyes. I said MY COUSIN! They said oh no! I said for real! Linda said for real also! And then they finally believed me! I think!
Linda is as smart as she is lovely! An Annapolis graduate, she spent 10 years in the Navy before retiring. She was in intelligence. When she retired, she stayed at the same job. Only her attire changed!
She still works in intelligence. I believe with the Department of Defense.
Her husband Pete is an Annapolis graduate also. Now a retired Marine! He is here in Key West for a few days while skippering his sailboat from St. Petersburg around the keys and up to Virginia. Linda flew down to spend the weekend with him.
Friend Terry is mate to Pete on the sailing jaunt.
Our conversation was lively! Politics and family! All in all an interesting evening.
Linda leaves today. I hope it will not be 5 years till we are together again!
The wind is blowing strong from the north. The palm tree branches are bending. There are 2-3 foot waves in front of my home!
And yet a high of 80 degrees is predicted for today!
I shall not complain!
I had fun last night!
Remember my cousin Maurice who was visiting me last week? One of his daughters is Linda. Linda was in Key West last night. With husband Pete and friend Terry.
We partied a bit! Runs in the family!
Dinner at Antonia's. Drinks and listening to jazz afterward at the Pier House with Larry Smith.
We had a great time!
Linda was born in Utica. She is the same age as my oldest daughter Beth. They attended grammar school together. Then my cousin Maurice moved to the Washington, DC area. So I seldom see Linda. I think the last time we were together was about 5 years ago for Lisa's wedding.
To start, Linda is a knockout appearance wise! Trim, blond and lovely! Too good looking in fact! Strikingly so!
And in a long slinky red dress!
We arrived at the Wine Galley and Larry Smith before Pete and Terry. I walked in with this lovely on my arm! All eyes looked up! What was Louis doing? My friends June and Bill Nelson were the first to greet us. I could see the look in their eyes. I said MY COUSIN! They said oh no! I said for real! Linda said for real also! And then they finally believed me! I think!
Linda is as smart as she is lovely! An Annapolis graduate, she spent 10 years in the Navy before retiring. She was in intelligence. When she retired, she stayed at the same job. Only her attire changed!
She still works in intelligence. I believe with the Department of Defense.
Her husband Pete is an Annapolis graduate also. Now a retired Marine! He is here in Key West for a few days while skippering his sailboat from St. Petersburg around the keys and up to Virginia. Linda flew down to spend the weekend with him.
Friend Terry is mate to Pete on the sailing jaunt.
Our conversation was lively! Politics and family! All in all an interesting evening.
Linda leaves today. I hope it will not be 5 years till we are together again!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Yesterday was a glorious Easter Sunday!
As it should be!
The sun rose boldly in a clear sky! As in He Is Risen!
First was a 9 am egg hunt at Lisa's home with the grandkids. As hard as I tried, they beat me in the egg hunt contest! They cheated though. The other adults were all helping the grandchildren!
Then a big Easter Sunday breakfast prepared by Lisa. Too much too early in the day! But oh so good!
A huge breakfast calls for an equally long walk! And so I walked the island!
By the time I returned home, my grandchildren were there frolicking in the pool. So Poppa had more exercise!
Last night was equally terrific! An Easter dinner party!
I was invited by Linda and Bill Schrufer. You will recall from past blogs that I consider Linda the Key West hostess with the mostest! She knows how to plan and throw a party! And always so gracious!
Turned out to be a co-sponsored party, so to speak!
The party was at Lee Ann and Michael's home in Truman Annex. Lee Ann and Michael's condiminium is one of those facing the ocean and with a huge terrace! Lovely! We were able to view sailing boats, the Disney ship leaving port and the setting sun as we frolicked!
I had met Lee Ann and Michael about a year ago when they first moved to Key West. A very nice couple! From some place up north. Young. Both in their early to mid 40s. That is one of the nice things about Key West, the generations mix and socialize together. There is no age barrier.
The drinks and food were outstanding! Diets went out the window last night! Or rather off the terrace!
The conversations were wild! Primarily politics at my table. Strong and forceful! All sides represented. It is going to be an interesting election when we finally get to it!
Time to walk! I have to work off the drinks and dinner from last night!
As it should be!
The sun rose boldly in a clear sky! As in He Is Risen!
First was a 9 am egg hunt at Lisa's home with the grandkids. As hard as I tried, they beat me in the egg hunt contest! They cheated though. The other adults were all helping the grandchildren!
Then a big Easter Sunday breakfast prepared by Lisa. Too much too early in the day! But oh so good!
A huge breakfast calls for an equally long walk! And so I walked the island!
By the time I returned home, my grandchildren were there frolicking in the pool. So Poppa had more exercise!
Last night was equally terrific! An Easter dinner party!
I was invited by Linda and Bill Schrufer. You will recall from past blogs that I consider Linda the Key West hostess with the mostest! She knows how to plan and throw a party! And always so gracious!
Turned out to be a co-sponsored party, so to speak!
The party was at Lee Ann and Michael's home in Truman Annex. Lee Ann and Michael's condiminium is one of those facing the ocean and with a huge terrace! Lovely! We were able to view sailing boats, the Disney ship leaving port and the setting sun as we frolicked!
I had met Lee Ann and Michael about a year ago when they first moved to Key West. A very nice couple! From some place up north. Young. Both in their early to mid 40s. That is one of the nice things about Key West, the generations mix and socialize together. There is no age barrier.
The drinks and food were outstanding! Diets went out the window last night! Or rather off the terrace!
The conversations were wild! Primarily politics at my table. Strong and forceful! All sides represented. It is going to be an interesting election when we finally get to it!
Time to walk! I have to work off the drinks and dinner from last night!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Good morning!
And a happy Easter!
I am up early. Going to Lisa's for an egg hunt with the grandkids! Old versus young! Hope I win! Ho ho!
I was tired tired yesterday from a late partying night. So I spent the afternoon in bed.
All in preparation to go out last night!
I started with wings at Kelly's. They are oh so good!
Then to the Pier House for the Larry Smith show. Larry and his show get better every time I visit!
Last night Larry featured Peter Diamond. What a voice! What presentation!
Peter is originally from Syracuse, New York. Utica is a mere 50 miles away and I attended law school at Syracuse University. So that make Peter and I some sort of compatriots!
Peter has lived in Key West for many years. He is married to Holly. Holly is one of the most beautiful human beings I have met. Always a hug, kiss and smile!
As usual, Larry and Peter played to a full house. A mixture of locals and tourists.
Donna the barmid had her work cut out for her last night. She was hustling all over the place keeping everyone's glasses full! Always with a smile and a kind word!
I was home and in bed before 11. The night before was still upon me!
And a happy Easter!
I am up early. Going to Lisa's for an egg hunt with the grandkids! Old versus young! Hope I win! Ho ho!
I was tired tired yesterday from a late partying night. So I spent the afternoon in bed.
All in preparation to go out last night!
I started with wings at Kelly's. They are oh so good!
Then to the Pier House for the Larry Smith show. Larry and his show get better every time I visit!
Last night Larry featured Peter Diamond. What a voice! What presentation!
Peter is originally from Syracuse, New York. Utica is a mere 50 miles away and I attended law school at Syracuse University. So that make Peter and I some sort of compatriots!
Peter has lived in Key West for many years. He is married to Holly. Holly is one of the most beautiful human beings I have met. Always a hug, kiss and smile!
As usual, Larry and Peter played to a full house. A mixture of locals and tourists.
Donna the barmid had her work cut out for her last night. She was hustling all over the place keeping everyone's glasses full! Always with a smile and a kind word!
I was home and in bed before 11. The night before was still upon me!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
I am reborn!
My computer is fixed!
Not having your computer avaialable on a demand basis creates separation anxiety! Our computers are like the blankets young kids carry around. Security items! It was hell to be without it!
I have been in bed all day recovering from last night!
Too much! I overdid it!
Started with dinner with friends at Hot Tin Roof. Lovely evening! Ate outside. Good food! Good company!
Then to La Te Da. My downfall! Too many gins and too many martinis! Too much Sassy and too much Debra!
I even danced!
About 5 now. Seem to be back in shape. So it is off to shower and another evening in Key West!
As Homer used to say, never let grass grow under your feet!
My computer is fixed!
Not having your computer avaialable on a demand basis creates separation anxiety! Our computers are like the blankets young kids carry around. Security items! It was hell to be without it!
I have been in bed all day recovering from last night!
Too much! I overdid it!
Started with dinner with friends at Hot Tin Roof. Lovely evening! Ate outside. Good food! Good company!
Then to La Te Da. My downfall! Too many gins and too many martinis! Too much Sassy and too much Debra!
I even danced!
About 5 now. Seem to be back in shape. So it is off to shower and another evening in Key West!
As Homer used to say, never let grass grow under your feet!
Friday, March 21, 2008
I am still waiting for my computer to be fixed!
The new hard drive is installed. However I need 4 other pieces. They have arrived. Hopefully by tomorrow morning I will be properly back in action!
That is why no blog yesterday!
Today I am at Lisa's writing this blog. With the grandkids all around me, of course! A joy!
Wednesday night I went to Kwest to hear Bobby Nesbitt. His usual great self!
By prearrangement, I met Bill and June Hudson there. We had dinner scheduled afterwards at Antonia's.
Bill and June are from Dover, Delaware. They have had a home here in Sugarloaf about 25 years. Good people!
Bill is close to retiring. He is a divorce lawyer in Delaware. Reputed to be one of the best. A soft spoken southern type gentleman.
June is just beautiful! Inside and out! And equally soft spoken as her good husband Bill.
Dinner was interesting! Bill loves to discuss politics also. So away we went!
Bill is a die hard black Republican! Only way to describe him! He says his father told him when he was very young that the worse Republican was better than the best Democrat. With that in mind, you can appreciate how our dinner conversation proceeded.
Yesterday I had business in Marathon. Marathon is about 45 miles north of Key West. Since the speed limit is anally regulated along route 1, it took me an hour each way. On the highway, forget the towns, the speed limits were 30, 45 and 55 miles per hour. Mostly 45. Therein lies the reason why it took 1 hour each way.
However I was not disturbed. The drive thru the keys is so beautiful! Miles and miles of nothing but ocean on each side. A trip!
So I was tired when I returned. That meant a quiet evening.
I went over to Schooner's Wharf for a couple of drinks. A real dive! One of the last vestiges of old Key West!
Then to Pepe's for dinner.
Pepe's is reputed to be the oldest restaurant in Key West. Legend has it that back in the 1700s the pirates planned their raids from Pepe's. Key West was the home port for Caribbean pirates in those days. Many the Spanish galleon lies buried off Key West shores as a result of those pirate raids. And a few Key West locals who dived for gold for years looking for those wreckages have become multi millionaires as a result of finding a galleon or two.
One of those memorables is Mel Fisher. He finally struck gold in the late 1980s. He and his family went from abject poverty to millionaire status instantly. Of course it took 15 years before he found treasure. The story is he had faith in what he was doing, was broke finacially as a result of his search, but finally struck gold as they say!
A movie was made of his life starring Cliff Robertson.
I had dinner at the bar at Pepe's and spoke with some of the locals. Food is basic and simple at Pepe's. Turkey and mashed potaotoes. Or meat loaf. Or chicken. Huge plates overflowing. And cheap prices!
The season is slow. I fear the recession is deinitely upon us.
Restaurants that turned over their tables 3 times during an evening, are lucky to fill them once. I saw it at Pepe's last night. And I have seen it at the other restaurants in town over the past few weeks.
Several businesses have closed here or drastically cut back.
I spoke with a major marina owner recently. He has been in business 40 years. Sells and repairs boats. In 2006 he experienced a 15 per cent increase in profit. Every year he made more money than the previous. Last year 2007 he ended up in the red. First time!
He says that when boats do not sell, he can still get along doing repairs. He is not even getting the repair business at this time. His feeling is that people are just plain afraid to spend money.
I spoke also with a real estate attorney yesterday also. His business was down 60 per cent last year.
And then there is Fletcher's. A fine furniture store! The very finest pieces! The most expensive!
Fletcher's has been doing business for 20 years. As long as peole came to the keys and bought or remodeled homes, Flethcher's did well. But no one is buying now!
I got a call from one of the staff the other day to tell me Fletcher's was closing down. They wanted me to know they were having a great for the consumer close out sale. I have been a customer off and on over the years. I was further told that the owner had been putting money back into the business for the past 2 years to keep it going. However it was now time to stop! So soon there will be no more Fletcher's!
All good hard working people involved in these tragic tales!
I fear for our immediate future. At some point we will pull out of this economic downturn. I am old enough to know that. However I fear this is the worse one in my adult life and many are going to be badly hurt before it is over.
The new hard drive is installed. However I need 4 other pieces. They have arrived. Hopefully by tomorrow morning I will be properly back in action!
That is why no blog yesterday!
Today I am at Lisa's writing this blog. With the grandkids all around me, of course! A joy!
Wednesday night I went to Kwest to hear Bobby Nesbitt. His usual great self!
By prearrangement, I met Bill and June Hudson there. We had dinner scheduled afterwards at Antonia's.
Bill and June are from Dover, Delaware. They have had a home here in Sugarloaf about 25 years. Good people!
Bill is close to retiring. He is a divorce lawyer in Delaware. Reputed to be one of the best. A soft spoken southern type gentleman.
June is just beautiful! Inside and out! And equally soft spoken as her good husband Bill.
Dinner was interesting! Bill loves to discuss politics also. So away we went!
Bill is a die hard black Republican! Only way to describe him! He says his father told him when he was very young that the worse Republican was better than the best Democrat. With that in mind, you can appreciate how our dinner conversation proceeded.
Yesterday I had business in Marathon. Marathon is about 45 miles north of Key West. Since the speed limit is anally regulated along route 1, it took me an hour each way. On the highway, forget the towns, the speed limits were 30, 45 and 55 miles per hour. Mostly 45. Therein lies the reason why it took 1 hour each way.
However I was not disturbed. The drive thru the keys is so beautiful! Miles and miles of nothing but ocean on each side. A trip!
So I was tired when I returned. That meant a quiet evening.
I went over to Schooner's Wharf for a couple of drinks. A real dive! One of the last vestiges of old Key West!
Then to Pepe's for dinner.
Pepe's is reputed to be the oldest restaurant in Key West. Legend has it that back in the 1700s the pirates planned their raids from Pepe's. Key West was the home port for Caribbean pirates in those days. Many the Spanish galleon lies buried off Key West shores as a result of those pirate raids. And a few Key West locals who dived for gold for years looking for those wreckages have become multi millionaires as a result of finding a galleon or two.
One of those memorables is Mel Fisher. He finally struck gold in the late 1980s. He and his family went from abject poverty to millionaire status instantly. Of course it took 15 years before he found treasure. The story is he had faith in what he was doing, was broke finacially as a result of his search, but finally struck gold as they say!
A movie was made of his life starring Cliff Robertson.
I had dinner at the bar at Pepe's and spoke with some of the locals. Food is basic and simple at Pepe's. Turkey and mashed potaotoes. Or meat loaf. Or chicken. Huge plates overflowing. And cheap prices!
The season is slow. I fear the recession is deinitely upon us.
Restaurants that turned over their tables 3 times during an evening, are lucky to fill them once. I saw it at Pepe's last night. And I have seen it at the other restaurants in town over the past few weeks.
Several businesses have closed here or drastically cut back.
I spoke with a major marina owner recently. He has been in business 40 years. Sells and repairs boats. In 2006 he experienced a 15 per cent increase in profit. Every year he made more money than the previous. Last year 2007 he ended up in the red. First time!
He says that when boats do not sell, he can still get along doing repairs. He is not even getting the repair business at this time. His feeling is that people are just plain afraid to spend money.
I spoke also with a real estate attorney yesterday also. His business was down 60 per cent last year.
And then there is Fletcher's. A fine furniture store! The very finest pieces! The most expensive!
Fletcher's has been doing business for 20 years. As long as peole came to the keys and bought or remodeled homes, Flethcher's did well. But no one is buying now!
I got a call from one of the staff the other day to tell me Fletcher's was closing down. They wanted me to know they were having a great for the consumer close out sale. I have been a customer off and on over the years. I was further told that the owner had been putting money back into the business for the past 2 years to keep it going. However it was now time to stop! So soon there will be no more Fletcher's!
All good hard working people involved in these tragic tales!
I fear for our immediate future. At some point we will pull out of this economic downturn. I am old enough to know that. However I fear this is the worse one in my adult life and many are going to be badly hurt before it is over.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Mid-afternoon!
Just finished playing golf.
I bought a new club two weeks ago. A Bobby Jones hybrid! I recommend it! Without reservation! It has already lowered my score by at least 10 strokes!
Last night did wings at Kelly's again. Oh so good! Big and succulent! Go there and try them!
Met an interesting family at Kelly's last night. Unfortunately their name escapes me. I never was good at names!
Anyhow, they are from a little town outside Madison, Wisconsin. They are here for 9 months. Renting at the Sanctuary on the golf course.
The mother is down here on some sort of grant working at the Botanical Gardens. The father is working at the Key West Citizen. The daughter is in her last year of high school here.
Since my background is in enviromental law, we had an interesting discussion.
Nice people. I hope they opt to remain here permanently.
A small world it is! We were sitting opposite a couple who overheard me say I was from Utica. Turns out she is from Syracuse and her boy friend Boonville. Syracuse is 50 miles away from Utica and Boonville 10. They have been in Key West 3 years.
Last friday my cousin Maurice and I had dinner at the Yacht Club.
Amy Culver joined us for a bit.
Amy is a Key West legend.
She owned Mangos restaurant on Duval for years. Did a great job remodeling the place when she acquired it. It was and still is a top restaurant, especially for tourists. Primarily outdoor dining.
Amy sold the restaurant 2 years ago. A smart move the way things are developing economically!
Amy loves Africa. She travels there frequently. 3-4 months at a time.
And she does not do the safaris and popular travel destinations. She gets into the brush and dust with the natives. She also has become a do gooder for these people.
She told us she recently returned. And what a story she had to tell!
One night she was accosted by 2 soldiers. Friendly they were not! They wanted $500 or she was in for a difficult time! Her life, rape, what have you! She was not certain, but clearly realized the danger. And scared she was also!
She did not have $500 on her. Much less! She finally was able to escape and ran all the way back to her room in tears. She says she has never been that afraid in her life before!
Another reauranteur of note in Key West is Carmello. A legend also!
Carmello and his brother Virgilio came from Italy 20 plus years ago. They opened La Tratattoria Restaurant, of which I often speak. Unforunately, Virgilio died a few years ago.
About 2 years ago and around the same time as Amy sold Mangos, Carmello sold La Tratattoria. Good timing for him also!
Both obvioisly smart people!
Today Amy and Carmello have started new businesses. Not together. But next door to each other.
Each opened a much smaller busines than they were previously in.
Amy opened a sandwich shop. Small. Buy thru an open window on the street.
Carmello opened a bar. No food. He is done with food!
The bar appears small on the outside, but is large and attractive inside. A huge rectangular bar with easy chairs and sofas along the walls.
Amy named her place Dreyfuss Deli. Not after the person well known in French history. After a dog!
Apparently there was once a totally undisciplined dog living in Key west by the name of Dreyfuss. He belonged to no one, but belonged to everyone! Though untrained, he was well fed and cared for by the community.
Where Carmello got the name Bottle Cap, I am not sure. But it is a good name for a drinking emporium!
Obviously Amy and Carmello are good friends! In the business sense! I do not wish to be accused of spreading false gossip!
And as former major restaurant owners, they know how to share! If a customer is hungry, he/she is able to by a sandwich at Dreyfuss and take it into Bottle Cap to eat.
I did! The system works terrific! Especially on a night when you are not that hungry!
I recommned Dreyfuss Deli and Bottle Cap! Go have a good time!
Even more intersting is the fact that the New York Times last friday ran a major article on Key West eating places. And you guessed it! Dreyfuss was part of the story! Along with Hogfish, BOs and the like!
Tonight is Bobby Nesbitt at Kwest! I cannot wait! I look forward to those two hours when he plays every week!
Just finished playing golf.
I bought a new club two weeks ago. A Bobby Jones hybrid! I recommend it! Without reservation! It has already lowered my score by at least 10 strokes!
Last night did wings at Kelly's again. Oh so good! Big and succulent! Go there and try them!
Met an interesting family at Kelly's last night. Unfortunately their name escapes me. I never was good at names!
Anyhow, they are from a little town outside Madison, Wisconsin. They are here for 9 months. Renting at the Sanctuary on the golf course.
The mother is down here on some sort of grant working at the Botanical Gardens. The father is working at the Key West Citizen. The daughter is in her last year of high school here.
Since my background is in enviromental law, we had an interesting discussion.
Nice people. I hope they opt to remain here permanently.
A small world it is! We were sitting opposite a couple who overheard me say I was from Utica. Turns out she is from Syracuse and her boy friend Boonville. Syracuse is 50 miles away from Utica and Boonville 10. They have been in Key West 3 years.
Last friday my cousin Maurice and I had dinner at the Yacht Club.
Amy Culver joined us for a bit.
Amy is a Key West legend.
She owned Mangos restaurant on Duval for years. Did a great job remodeling the place when she acquired it. It was and still is a top restaurant, especially for tourists. Primarily outdoor dining.
Amy sold the restaurant 2 years ago. A smart move the way things are developing economically!
Amy loves Africa. She travels there frequently. 3-4 months at a time.
And she does not do the safaris and popular travel destinations. She gets into the brush and dust with the natives. She also has become a do gooder for these people.
She told us she recently returned. And what a story she had to tell!
One night she was accosted by 2 soldiers. Friendly they were not! They wanted $500 or she was in for a difficult time! Her life, rape, what have you! She was not certain, but clearly realized the danger. And scared she was also!
She did not have $500 on her. Much less! She finally was able to escape and ran all the way back to her room in tears. She says she has never been that afraid in her life before!
Another reauranteur of note in Key West is Carmello. A legend also!
Carmello and his brother Virgilio came from Italy 20 plus years ago. They opened La Tratattoria Restaurant, of which I often speak. Unforunately, Virgilio died a few years ago.
About 2 years ago and around the same time as Amy sold Mangos, Carmello sold La Tratattoria. Good timing for him also!
Both obvioisly smart people!
Today Amy and Carmello have started new businesses. Not together. But next door to each other.
Each opened a much smaller busines than they were previously in.
Amy opened a sandwich shop. Small. Buy thru an open window on the street.
Carmello opened a bar. No food. He is done with food!
The bar appears small on the outside, but is large and attractive inside. A huge rectangular bar with easy chairs and sofas along the walls.
Amy named her place Dreyfuss Deli. Not after the person well known in French history. After a dog!
Apparently there was once a totally undisciplined dog living in Key west by the name of Dreyfuss. He belonged to no one, but belonged to everyone! Though untrained, he was well fed and cared for by the community.
Where Carmello got the name Bottle Cap, I am not sure. But it is a good name for a drinking emporium!
Obviously Amy and Carmello are good friends! In the business sense! I do not wish to be accused of spreading false gossip!
And as former major restaurant owners, they know how to share! If a customer is hungry, he/she is able to by a sandwich at Dreyfuss and take it into Bottle Cap to eat.
I did! The system works terrific! Especially on a night when you are not that hungry!
I recommned Dreyfuss Deli and Bottle Cap! Go have a good time!
Even more intersting is the fact that the New York Times last friday ran a major article on Key West eating places. And you guessed it! Dreyfuss was part of the story! Along with Hogfish, BOs and the like!
Tonight is Bobby Nesbitt at Kwest! I cannot wait! I look forward to those two hours when he plays every week!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Another glorious day in Key West!
The sun is shining, nary a cloud in the sky and 82 degrees!
This is a continuation of the cold spell predicted! Down from 88 to 82!
There is a strong wind however. About 25-30 miles per hour. Off the Atlantic. And brings with it the cold air which has dropped the temperatrure 6 degrees.
It is amazing how much I have learned and continue to learn living here on the island!
I have a granddaughter Sara. Actually I have many granddaughters and grandsons. Eleven in all!
Sara is 19 and a sophmore at St. John Fisher College in Rochester. She is studying business. Her ambition in life is to be affiliated with professional sports, perhaps as a televsion commentator. In that regard, it is her intent to obtain a Masters degree from Newhouse at Syracuse University after she completes here studies at St. John Fisher.
This week Sara is in Fort Lauderdale! It is Spring Break time!
Sounds good and exciting! However Sara is there with her parents, sister and 2 brothers. My daughter in law, her mother, is a tough woman!
One way or another Sara will enjoy the week. And enjoy it to some degree with the thousands of other college students frolicking the beaches!
Sara's friend Meeghan is with her. Meeghan goes to Fordham and aspires to being a doctor. A smart girl!
I wish them both well! Enjoy! Have a great time!
I would be remiss if I did not point out my earliest recollections of Sara. It was only hours after she was born. I was holding her. So tiny! Really tiny! And only yesterday! Time moves much too fast! Yesterday becomes tomorrow in the wink of an eye!
The sun is shining, nary a cloud in the sky and 82 degrees!
This is a continuation of the cold spell predicted! Down from 88 to 82!
There is a strong wind however. About 25-30 miles per hour. Off the Atlantic. And brings with it the cold air which has dropped the temperatrure 6 degrees.
It is amazing how much I have learned and continue to learn living here on the island!
I have a granddaughter Sara. Actually I have many granddaughters and grandsons. Eleven in all!
Sara is 19 and a sophmore at St. John Fisher College in Rochester. She is studying business. Her ambition in life is to be affiliated with professional sports, perhaps as a televsion commentator. In that regard, it is her intent to obtain a Masters degree from Newhouse at Syracuse University after she completes here studies at St. John Fisher.
This week Sara is in Fort Lauderdale! It is Spring Break time!
Sounds good and exciting! However Sara is there with her parents, sister and 2 brothers. My daughter in law, her mother, is a tough woman!
One way or another Sara will enjoy the week. And enjoy it to some degree with the thousands of other college students frolicking the beaches!
Sara's friend Meeghan is with her. Meeghan goes to Fordham and aspires to being a doctor. A smart girl!
I wish them both well! Enjoy! Have a great time!
I would be remiss if I did not point out my earliest recollections of Sara. It was only hours after she was born. I was holding her. So tiny! Really tiny! And only yesterday! Time moves much too fast! Yesterday becomes tomorrow in the wink of an eye!
Monday, March 17, 2008
It is 10 o'clock Monday morning. The anticipated cold spell has yet to arrive! It is 86 degrees and humid!
Yesterday was a quiet day. A family day. Breakfast with the grandkids, afternoon in the pool with them and then play inside my home.
And then early to bed for me! I needed it!
This is college week in Key West! The students have invaded us!
I met 3 young ladies at the coffee house on Duval. They were seniors at the University of Tennessee. 21 all and the world before them!
Nice kids! Hard for me to envision them as adults, even though they now are!
One of them is a biology major. A 3.5 GPA. Outstanding!
She intends to continue schooling to receive a doctorate.
This summer she has a job in/on Domenica. Domenica is a small Carribean island. I heard of it for the first time recently when a friend vacationed there. It is just starting to develop. A few airlines and some small guest houses.
The bio major has a 3 month summer job on Domenica to study lizards. She was all excited! Beside the interest in the work, she gets free flight, rooom and board. And most importantly, an additional $4,500 stipend at the end of the 3 months! She says her parents are thrilled also that she is finally earning money and good money at that!
Iguanas are prevalent in the keys. I have a family of 3 that live on my property. She was excited to hear about them. A small world indeed!
My iguanas consist of what I assume is a father. He is about 3 feet long. Then the mother about 2 feet long. And the baby who is about a foot long.
They live under my deck. The family comes out by day to sun themselves. They enjoy the deck and the walls surrounding my property.
They are not flesh eating. When they first arrived, I checked iguanas out on the internet. They will not bite. Good! And they have no fear either! I walk up to them and they do not move. Their attitude is screw you/don't bother me!
The only negative with having them around is that they deficate. All over the dock! So hosing has become a daily chore!
When the rats invaded my house, the iguanas disappeared. I thought the rats had made short order of them. Apparently not since they returned when the rats left.
My hard drive has not come in yet. I am doing this blog at Lisa's. My gandchildren are around me. They want me to finger paint with them. So that is how I shall spend the rest of my morning!
May your day be as enjoyable!
Yesterday was a quiet day. A family day. Breakfast with the grandkids, afternoon in the pool with them and then play inside my home.
And then early to bed for me! I needed it!
This is college week in Key West! The students have invaded us!
I met 3 young ladies at the coffee house on Duval. They were seniors at the University of Tennessee. 21 all and the world before them!
Nice kids! Hard for me to envision them as adults, even though they now are!
One of them is a biology major. A 3.5 GPA. Outstanding!
She intends to continue schooling to receive a doctorate.
This summer she has a job in/on Domenica. Domenica is a small Carribean island. I heard of it for the first time recently when a friend vacationed there. It is just starting to develop. A few airlines and some small guest houses.
The bio major has a 3 month summer job on Domenica to study lizards. She was all excited! Beside the interest in the work, she gets free flight, rooom and board. And most importantly, an additional $4,500 stipend at the end of the 3 months! She says her parents are thrilled also that she is finally earning money and good money at that!
Iguanas are prevalent in the keys. I have a family of 3 that live on my property. She was excited to hear about them. A small world indeed!
My iguanas consist of what I assume is a father. He is about 3 feet long. Then the mother about 2 feet long. And the baby who is about a foot long.
They live under my deck. The family comes out by day to sun themselves. They enjoy the deck and the walls surrounding my property.
They are not flesh eating. When they first arrived, I checked iguanas out on the internet. They will not bite. Good! And they have no fear either! I walk up to them and they do not move. Their attitude is screw you/don't bother me!
The only negative with having them around is that they deficate. All over the dock! So hosing has become a daily chore!
When the rats invaded my house, the iguanas disappeared. I thought the rats had made short order of them. Apparently not since they returned when the rats left.
My hard drive has not come in yet. I am doing this blog at Lisa's. My gandchildren are around me. They want me to finger paint with them. So that is how I shall spend the rest of my morning!
May your day be as enjoyable!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Another great day in Paradise!
It is noon Sunday. Sun is bright! 88 degrees! A few scattered clouds whiten the sky! Humid!
A cold spell is predicted for tomorrow. It will last 2 days. The high is expected to be 82. What a joke!
There was smoke moving over Key West yesterday. I thought there was a fire some where on the island. Turns out not!
The smoke came from Cuba!
It is sugar cane harvesting time in Cuba. Before the cane is cut down, the leaves and other growths must be removed. They are burned off! And the wind carried the smoke cloud emitting therefrom the 90 miles separating Key West from Cuba!
Last Thursday after bocci I was at Don's Place drowning my sorrow over defeat with my fellow team mates. The benefit was that the winning team was buying!
At some point I decided it would be nice for all of us to celebrate further. So I announced I would throw a party at my home this Thursday for the 3 teams sponsored by Don's Place. Key West is a place where any reason for a party is a good reason! And this Thursday is a bocci off night because of the holiday.
Well I am now reneging on my offer to have the party this Thursday. Turns out I forgot this was Holy Week. Not a sufficient reason in itself perhaps, but because of the nature of the week my time is full for the week. I forgot other committments when I made the offer.
So via this blog I announce to all concerned that there will be no party Thursday at my home. However I am a man of my word. And I do wish to party further with my bocci friends! So the party is rescheduled till after the end of the bocci seasson. The tentative date is the first Thursday evening following the conclusion of the season and playoffs. 6 pm is starting time!
I ask those of you who read this blog to please share the party cancellation message with those concerned. Larry Smith for sure reads me daily. So Larry you are in charge of spreading the message! Thank you in advance! I know I will hear from you endlessly re the rescheduling and imposing on you the message spreading responsibility!
Cousin Maurice left early last evening! Good! I was tired! Still am!
I had a quiet evening last night. Wings at Kelly's and early to bed!
I had a quiet pleasant time at Kelly's.
Doug and Chris are two of the bartenders there. Both great guys! Doug has been around Key West a long time. Very friendly! Chris is the reigning Fantasy Fest King! An honor in and of itself! Well liked! Good friends with Patrick the bartender at Square One. Both Chris and Patrick are friends of my daugher Lisa.
Key West is a small world!
I also had the opportunity to talk with Kelly's owner Fred Tillman last night. A Key West icon! I enjoy hearing his thoughts on the Key West business climate!
It has been grandkids time the past 2 days.
Yesterday afternoon I spent 2 hours with them in the pool. If I was tired before from my Cousin Maurice exploits, I was dead afterwards!
This morning I had breakfast at Square One with Lisa and her family. The gradchildren were ok, except that Ally was a bit feisty! It all adds to the pleasure of the moment!
I had planned on resting the rest of the day! However Lisa just informed me she is coming over with the kids for the afternoon to swim!
It is noon Sunday. Sun is bright! 88 degrees! A few scattered clouds whiten the sky! Humid!
A cold spell is predicted for tomorrow. It will last 2 days. The high is expected to be 82. What a joke!
There was smoke moving over Key West yesterday. I thought there was a fire some where on the island. Turns out not!
The smoke came from Cuba!
It is sugar cane harvesting time in Cuba. Before the cane is cut down, the leaves and other growths must be removed. They are burned off! And the wind carried the smoke cloud emitting therefrom the 90 miles separating Key West from Cuba!
Last Thursday after bocci I was at Don's Place drowning my sorrow over defeat with my fellow team mates. The benefit was that the winning team was buying!
At some point I decided it would be nice for all of us to celebrate further. So I announced I would throw a party at my home this Thursday for the 3 teams sponsored by Don's Place. Key West is a place where any reason for a party is a good reason! And this Thursday is a bocci off night because of the holiday.
Well I am now reneging on my offer to have the party this Thursday. Turns out I forgot this was Holy Week. Not a sufficient reason in itself perhaps, but because of the nature of the week my time is full for the week. I forgot other committments when I made the offer.
So via this blog I announce to all concerned that there will be no party Thursday at my home. However I am a man of my word. And I do wish to party further with my bocci friends! So the party is rescheduled till after the end of the bocci seasson. The tentative date is the first Thursday evening following the conclusion of the season and playoffs. 6 pm is starting time!
I ask those of you who read this blog to please share the party cancellation message with those concerned. Larry Smith for sure reads me daily. So Larry you are in charge of spreading the message! Thank you in advance! I know I will hear from you endlessly re the rescheduling and imposing on you the message spreading responsibility!
Cousin Maurice left early last evening! Good! I was tired! Still am!
I had a quiet evening last night. Wings at Kelly's and early to bed!
I had a quiet pleasant time at Kelly's.
Doug and Chris are two of the bartenders there. Both great guys! Doug has been around Key West a long time. Very friendly! Chris is the reigning Fantasy Fest King! An honor in and of itself! Well liked! Good friends with Patrick the bartender at Square One. Both Chris and Patrick are friends of my daugher Lisa.
Key West is a small world!
I also had the opportunity to talk with Kelly's owner Fred Tillman last night. A Key West icon! I enjoy hearing his thoughts on the Key West business climate!
It has been grandkids time the past 2 days.
Yesterday afternoon I spent 2 hours with them in the pool. If I was tired before from my Cousin Maurice exploits, I was dead afterwards!
This morning I had breakfast at Square One with Lisa and her family. The gradchildren were ok, except that Ally was a bit feisty! It all adds to the pleasure of the moment!
I had planned on resting the rest of the day! However Lisa just informed me she is coming over with the kids for the afternoon to swim!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Good morning world!
It is Saturday. Beautiful! 82 degtrees! Not a cloud in the sky! Dry! A slight breeze!
God is in His Heaven! All is right with the world!
At least here in Key West!
My cousin Maurice leaves today. I am thrilled! He has been here a week. I could not handle another day!
We are like to college kids on vacation!
Last night we closed La Te Da. I have never locked up La Te Da! Not even close!
Then we went to Don's Place.
Too much!
I am dead on my feet. I plan on laying around for the next week doing nothing.
I still do not have a new drive for the computer. Had to get it out of Marathon. Supposed to be here Monday. I am at Lisa's writing this blog.
My cousin does not leave till 5 pm. He wants to know what we are going to do today. He never gets tired!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is Saturday. Beautiful! 82 degtrees! Not a cloud in the sky! Dry! A slight breeze!
God is in His Heaven! All is right with the world!
At least here in Key West!
My cousin Maurice leaves today. I am thrilled! He has been here a week. I could not handle another day!
We are like to college kids on vacation!
Last night we closed La Te Da. I have never locked up La Te Da! Not even close!
Then we went to Don's Place.
Too much!
I am dead on my feet. I plan on laying around for the next week doing nothing.
I still do not have a new drive for the computer. Had to get it out of Marathon. Supposed to be here Monday. I am at Lisa's writing this blog.
My cousin does not leave till 5 pm. He wants to know what we are going to do today. He never gets tired!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, March 14, 2008
My computer is still down! It is the hard drive! I blew it! Hopefully it will be replaced over the weekend and I will be back writing this blog on a daily basis.
Today I am at Lisa's writing it.
My custom is to write immediately upon waking up. Around 6 am.
I am lost without my computer. It is interesting how it has become an intricate part of most of our lives. When there is nothing else to do, there is always the internet! I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms!
Last night was the big night! The night of nights!
Bocci!
The two first place teams met. And as close to mortal combat as could be, it was!
My team is Bat Construction. The other first place team is Don's Place. We went into last night's match with records of 16-4. Not bad!
We got our asses whipped! Don's won all 3 games! How embarassing!
The first two games were close to the end. Don's finally pulled them out with last minute spurts and won each by 5 or 6 points.
The final game became a must win for us! We were determined!
We were ahead 10-2. We lost 16-14.
It was not meant to be!
We were beat by a better team last night! No excuses! Chris and Don himself played exceptionally well!
There is another match down the road. Who knows what will happen! Perhaps we/Bat need a bit more seasoning and we will have to wait till next year to end up number 1! On the other hand, it could still happen this season. Whatever, we shall recover.
Afterwards we all went to Don's Place to party.
One good thing about losing a sporting match in the keys is that the winners buy the drinks! So I drank for free last night!
My cousin Maurice is still here! He leaves tomorrow. As much as I love him, I will be happy to see him go! I cannot take these late nights and heavy drinking! I am wearing down! No, I am worn down!
Today I am at Lisa's writing it.
My custom is to write immediately upon waking up. Around 6 am.
I am lost without my computer. It is interesting how it has become an intricate part of most of our lives. When there is nothing else to do, there is always the internet! I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms!
Last night was the big night! The night of nights!
Bocci!
The two first place teams met. And as close to mortal combat as could be, it was!
My team is Bat Construction. The other first place team is Don's Place. We went into last night's match with records of 16-4. Not bad!
We got our asses whipped! Don's won all 3 games! How embarassing!
The first two games were close to the end. Don's finally pulled them out with last minute spurts and won each by 5 or 6 points.
The final game became a must win for us! We were determined!
We were ahead 10-2. We lost 16-14.
It was not meant to be!
We were beat by a better team last night! No excuses! Chris and Don himself played exceptionally well!
There is another match down the road. Who knows what will happen! Perhaps we/Bat need a bit more seasoning and we will have to wait till next year to end up number 1! On the other hand, it could still happen this season. Whatever, we shall recover.
Afterwards we all went to Don's Place to party.
One good thing about losing a sporting match in the keys is that the winners buy the drinks! So I drank for free last night!
My cousin Maurice is still here! He leaves tomorrow. As much as I love him, I will be happy to see him go! I cannot take these late nights and heavy drinking! I am wearing down! No, I am worn down!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Good morning! Almost good afternoon!
Pouring here! Will rain all day!
I apologize for missing two days of blogs. I blew my hard drive and am waiting for it to be fixed. Hopefully!
My cousinn Maurice is visiting me from Washington, DC. He arrived Sunday. He leaves Saturday. I do not know if I can make it! Or he! We are partying too much!
Sunday night till late at La Te Da! Last night at the Pier House!
Larry Smith's monday jazz night continues to be a winner! Exceptional!
Today I shall spend in bed. In preparation for this evening! Where we will be going I am not sure. But trust me it will be fun!
My former governor Eliott Spitzer got his just due! He hurt too many people on his way up! The addage that what goes around comes around is very true!
Till tomorrow.....
Pouring here! Will rain all day!
I apologize for missing two days of blogs. I blew my hard drive and am waiting for it to be fixed. Hopefully!
My cousinn Maurice is visiting me from Washington, DC. He arrived Sunday. He leaves Saturday. I do not know if I can make it! Or he! We are partying too much!
Sunday night till late at La Te Da! Last night at the Pier House!
Larry Smith's monday jazz night continues to be a winner! Exceptional!
Today I shall spend in bed. In preparation for this evening! Where we will be going I am not sure. But trust me it will be fun!
My former governor Eliott Spitzer got his just due! He hurt too many people on his way up! The addage that what goes around comes around is very true!
Till tomorrow.....
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Good morning!
Cold and rainy today. High projected at 67. Tonight 59.
Yesterday was hot and humid. 88!
Amazing how swiftly the weather can change!
I sensed yesterday today would be bad. The water was still. Very little breeze. And the wind was from the south.
The calm before the storm! And I have found that whenever there is a southerly breeze it brings with it inclement weather!
A disaster befell me yesterday! I blew the hard drive on my computer!
I have a new digital camera and was learning how to put the pictures into the computer. My intent is to have daily pictures in this blog. Somehow I screwed up! Such is life!
I am at my daughter Lisa's home doing the blog today on her computer.
Last night I had a great evening!
Drinks at the bar at Antonia's with some members of the legal community. I can still talk law! It was refreshing and stimulating!
Then dinner outside at the Hot Tin Roof. A great meal and equally great food!
My brother in law Fran is in town. He is an early riser also. So I treated him to the joys of cuban coffee and cuban toast this morning at Paradise Cafe as the sun was rising.
He thought the toast was absolutely outstanding! Until I told him it was made with pig fat! As he said, anything this good has to be bad!
And so right he is!
Cold and rainy today. High projected at 67. Tonight 59.
Yesterday was hot and humid. 88!
Amazing how swiftly the weather can change!
I sensed yesterday today would be bad. The water was still. Very little breeze. And the wind was from the south.
The calm before the storm! And I have found that whenever there is a southerly breeze it brings with it inclement weather!
A disaster befell me yesterday! I blew the hard drive on my computer!
I have a new digital camera and was learning how to put the pictures into the computer. My intent is to have daily pictures in this blog. Somehow I screwed up! Such is life!
I am at my daughter Lisa's home doing the blog today on her computer.
Last night I had a great evening!
Drinks at the bar at Antonia's with some members of the legal community. I can still talk law! It was refreshing and stimulating!
Then dinner outside at the Hot Tin Roof. A great meal and equally great food!
My brother in law Fran is in town. He is an early riser also. So I treated him to the joys of cuban coffee and cuban toast this morning at Paradise Cafe as the sun was rising.
He thought the toast was absolutely outstanding! Until I told him it was made with pig fat! As he said, anything this good has to be bad!
And so right he is!
Friday, March 7, 2008
The bocci wars are upon us!
We won 2 and lost 1 last night. We had gone 3 consecutive weeks without losing a game. I did not like losing one! Nor did my team mates!
But such is life!
We are still tied for first place. Next week we play the team tied with us. Ergo the bocci war reference!
I play for Bat Construction. We are 3 guys and 4 women. And we are having one hell of a year!
The other team tied for first is Don's Place. All guys. A tough team!
Drinking takes place during the games. My team is the mixed drink team. Don's is the beer drinkers!
Don's team is big and experienced! Bat is the new kid on the block.
Now to place it all in perspective. Bat and Don's are comprised of golfing and drinking buddies and in some instances co-workers. Friends all!
Next week is a blood match! A bragging rights encounter!
We will do our best to hang in there!
It is going to be interesting!
We won 2 and lost 1 last night. We had gone 3 consecutive weeks without losing a game. I did not like losing one! Nor did my team mates!
But such is life!
We are still tied for first place. Next week we play the team tied with us. Ergo the bocci war reference!
I play for Bat Construction. We are 3 guys and 4 women. And we are having one hell of a year!
The other team tied for first is Don's Place. All guys. A tough team!
Drinking takes place during the games. My team is the mixed drink team. Don's is the beer drinkers!
Don's team is big and experienced! Bat is the new kid on the block.
Now to place it all in perspective. Bat and Don's are comprised of golfing and drinking buddies and in some instances co-workers. Friends all!
Next week is a blood match! A bragging rights encounter!
We will do our best to hang in there!
It is going to be interesting!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Golf yesterday!
I played well for me. Even had a par and birdie!
Then I drove out to Hogfish for lunch. A real dive on the water! On Stock Island. Stock Island is the second key outside of Key West.
Hogfish is located on a road with poorly cared for and some abandoned trailer homes, a garbage recycling facility, a marina with a large daily fish boat and a fish store. Not much in the way of a high class neighborhood!
The restaurant advertises itself as being in "Downtown Stock Island!" A ho ho!
It resembles an old shack! A big one though! With water all around!
The place is clean! The food good! The price nothing!
And the place is always packed!
I sat on the dock at a picnic table under a beach umbrella. Had fish and chips. Read the papers.
Then home and a nap. I always get tired when I play golf!
Last night dinner was at Pisces with friends. Always a good meal! I enjoyed a salmon appetizer and a snapper entre.
I eat a lot of snapper in Key West. It is native to the waters and always fresh.
Service is big at Pisces. I stepped outside to have a cigarette. Turned around and there was the waiter with his lighter! Goes a bit too far and maybe a bit too much, but never the less a nice touch!
We are in the middle of the season in Key West. It does not feel it. I sadly sense a poor season! The restaurants are not full. Neither are the streets. The hotels are doing well on weekends, but not during the week. And when tourists are here they enjoy the freebies: the sun, the beaches and walking around. They are not spending money!
I fear the recession is affecting Key West. People either do not have money or are afraid to spend it.
A person cannot put $50 plus in a gas tank, pay increased prices at the grocery store and still have money left to play!
Tonight bocci!
I played well for me. Even had a par and birdie!
Then I drove out to Hogfish for lunch. A real dive on the water! On Stock Island. Stock Island is the second key outside of Key West.
Hogfish is located on a road with poorly cared for and some abandoned trailer homes, a garbage recycling facility, a marina with a large daily fish boat and a fish store. Not much in the way of a high class neighborhood!
The restaurant advertises itself as being in "Downtown Stock Island!" A ho ho!
It resembles an old shack! A big one though! With water all around!
The place is clean! The food good! The price nothing!
And the place is always packed!
I sat on the dock at a picnic table under a beach umbrella. Had fish and chips. Read the papers.
Then home and a nap. I always get tired when I play golf!
Last night dinner was at Pisces with friends. Always a good meal! I enjoyed a salmon appetizer and a snapper entre.
I eat a lot of snapper in Key West. It is native to the waters and always fresh.
Service is big at Pisces. I stepped outside to have a cigarette. Turned around and there was the waiter with his lighter! Goes a bit too far and maybe a bit too much, but never the less a nice touch!
We are in the middle of the season in Key West. It does not feel it. I sadly sense a poor season! The restaurants are not full. Neither are the streets. The hotels are doing well on weekends, but not during the week. And when tourists are here they enjoy the freebies: the sun, the beaches and walking around. They are not spending money!
I fear the recession is affecting Key West. People either do not have money or are afraid to spend it.
A person cannot put $50 plus in a gas tank, pay increased prices at the grocery store and still have money left to play!
Tonight bocci!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
I am tired this morning!
Remember I am a political junkie! So I stayed up late last night watching the reports on the Ohio and Texas primaries.
It is a horserace on the Democratic side! Probably all the way to the convention.
Hillary did well yesterday. Pennsylvania will be the bloodbath! Another Gettysburg!
Obama is still my man! I think he represents the type of change we experienced with FDR and Reagan. Continuing politics (remember politics is the art of government) as is will no longer work. In fact, it is no longer working! Look at the sorry state of affairs our country is in both nationally and internationally.
So much for my pontificating this morning. It is wednesday and ednesday is golf day! I am off to the course!
Remember I am a political junkie! So I stayed up late last night watching the reports on the Ohio and Texas primaries.
It is a horserace on the Democratic side! Probably all the way to the convention.
Hillary did well yesterday. Pennsylvania will be the bloodbath! Another Gettysburg!
Obama is still my man! I think he represents the type of change we experienced with FDR and Reagan. Continuing politics (remember politics is the art of government) as is will no longer work. In fact, it is no longer working! Look at the sorry state of affairs our country is in both nationally and internationally.
So much for my pontificating this morning. It is wednesday and ednesday is golf day! I am off to the course!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The chicken saga continues! Perhaps not for long however!
There was a chicken round up last night! A volunteer group captured 416 chickens, loaded them on a truck and drove them out of town!
Shades of the old west!
This is a for real story! Key West's chicken population was dramatically reduced in the stealth of the night!
The chickens are purportedly being trucked to a farm in Eustis, Florida. Eustis is somewhere between Orlando and Ocala. They were to arrive sometime around sunrise. Thereafter they will be available to people who want to adopt them as house pets.
Crazy!
It is reported there are several more capture and relocations planned.
There is a practical effect to this type dark of the night raid.
Families are disrupted!
I was at Paradise Cafe this morning. The hen and chicks were gone. Only the rooster remained. A lost soul! He was walking around searching! Calling out in a voice I had never heard before! All in vain!
This capture and deportation was attempted once before several years ago in Key West. It obviously did not work! It only takes one Adam and one Eve remaining to start the line again!
There was a chicken round up last night! A volunteer group captured 416 chickens, loaded them on a truck and drove them out of town!
Shades of the old west!
This is a for real story! Key West's chicken population was dramatically reduced in the stealth of the night!
The chickens are purportedly being trucked to a farm in Eustis, Florida. Eustis is somewhere between Orlando and Ocala. They were to arrive sometime around sunrise. Thereafter they will be available to people who want to adopt them as house pets.
Crazy!
It is reported there are several more capture and relocations planned.
There is a practical effect to this type dark of the night raid.
Families are disrupted!
I was at Paradise Cafe this morning. The hen and chicks were gone. Only the rooster remained. A lost soul! He was walking around searching! Calling out in a voice I had never heard before! All in vain!
This capture and deportation was attempted once before several years ago in Key West. It obviously did not work! It only takes one Adam and one Eve remaining to start the line again!
Monday, March 3, 2008
I watched the sun come up over the ocean this morning!
It was not a clean sunrise. There are scattered gray clouds. The orange ball finally broke through them! A bit of a struggle. Sort of a life goes on thing!
Had breakfast with Lisa and the grandchildren yesterdy morning. At Camille's. The kids are great! Always! A proud grandfather am I!
Robert has become a great convrsationalist! He speaks in sentences and expresses thoughts. Ally talks and talks and talks. Actually screeches! Word after word after word! The pacifier is gone and she has come out!
After breakfast I walked over to the coffee house on Duval and read the morning papers on the porch while sipping a chocolate mocha. What could be better!
The afternoon was spent watching golf, basketball and old movies. Yes, I am the type that sits there with the remote control in hand and flips channels.
I was happy to see Ernie Els win! It has been more than 3 years for him. A nice guy and a good golfer. I hope he has a great year!
I am a fish eater down here. Why not! It is always fresh and always delicious!
For some reason, I had a craving all afternoon for chicken wings! Maybe too much TV sports watching!
So I had wings at the bar at Kelly's last night. Oh, so good! Big and juicy! I like my wings dry. None of that gooey stuff on them. I did not need anything with Kelly's wings! They were moist and tasty in and of themselves!
Fred Tillman spent some time talking with me. Fred was originally married to Kelly McGillis, the 1980's big time movie star! You will remember her as the good looking blond who played opposite Tom Cruise in Top Gun.
They settled in Key West. Opened Kelly's. An original name! But it worked! A very popular place, especially for tourists!
Fred and Kelly are no longer married to each other. Fred got the business. Kelly is off somewhere in Pennsylvania living on a farm.
If there is any intertest, I drank only Diet Pepsi last night.
It was not a clean sunrise. There are scattered gray clouds. The orange ball finally broke through them! A bit of a struggle. Sort of a life goes on thing!
Had breakfast with Lisa and the grandchildren yesterdy morning. At Camille's. The kids are great! Always! A proud grandfather am I!
Robert has become a great convrsationalist! He speaks in sentences and expresses thoughts. Ally talks and talks and talks. Actually screeches! Word after word after word! The pacifier is gone and she has come out!
After breakfast I walked over to the coffee house on Duval and read the morning papers on the porch while sipping a chocolate mocha. What could be better!
The afternoon was spent watching golf, basketball and old movies. Yes, I am the type that sits there with the remote control in hand and flips channels.
I was happy to see Ernie Els win! It has been more than 3 years for him. A nice guy and a good golfer. I hope he has a great year!
I am a fish eater down here. Why not! It is always fresh and always delicious!
For some reason, I had a craving all afternoon for chicken wings! Maybe too much TV sports watching!
So I had wings at the bar at Kelly's last night. Oh, so good! Big and juicy! I like my wings dry. None of that gooey stuff on them. I did not need anything with Kelly's wings! They were moist and tasty in and of themselves!
Fred Tillman spent some time talking with me. Fred was originally married to Kelly McGillis, the 1980's big time movie star! You will remember her as the good looking blond who played opposite Tom Cruise in Top Gun.
They settled in Key West. Opened Kelly's. An original name! But it worked! A very popular place, especially for tourists!
Fred and Kelly are no longer married to each other. Fred got the business. Kelly is off somewhere in Pennsylvania living on a farm.
If there is any intertest, I drank only Diet Pepsi last night.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Good morning! Almost afternoon! Sorry to be late with today's blog. However I overindulged last night and accordingly I am moving slowly this morning! What a head I have!
The day was good yesterday!
I lunched at the bar at Hogfish and watched Syracuse play Pittsburgh. A good game even though Syracuse lost again. By about 5 points. Again the cry is wait till next year!
Then home to rest. No rest. The grandkids showed up to swim. I had a most happy 2 hours playing with them in the pool!
Alley is 2 1/2. I noticed she was talking more. Actually constantly. Non stop! I pointed out to Lisa how unusual this was. She said not really. The reason Ally is talking is that she gave up her pacifier 2 weeks ago! She never talked because that thing was always in her mouth. Now she is shouting to the heavens! A happy change!
I started my evening at Kwest listening to Bobby Nesbitt. Always a pleasure!
Then I walked over to La Trattatore and had dinner at the bar. A couple of drinks and my favorite dinner there of spaghetti with oil and garlic.
When I finished dinner I should have gone home. I felt good. I felt comfortable.
But I did not!
Instead I went to the Pier House. Larry smith was featuring Raven as his special vocalist and he had called me earlier and recommended that I stop by to hear her. He said she was different and he thought I would enjoy her.
So I went.
Raven was different! At first I did not like her. However she grew on me!
Her voice can only be described as gutteral. Low and deep. As I listened to her, I came to enjoy her. Very much!
And so I stayed longer than I normally would. And therein was the tragedy which led to my downfall this morning.
I had 3 espresso martinis! On top of several gins earlier!
This is one of those mornings where I swear I will never drink again!
To show that I exercise good judgment, be advised that I called for a cab to take me home.
The day was good yesterday!
I lunched at the bar at Hogfish and watched Syracuse play Pittsburgh. A good game even though Syracuse lost again. By about 5 points. Again the cry is wait till next year!
Then home to rest. No rest. The grandkids showed up to swim. I had a most happy 2 hours playing with them in the pool!
Alley is 2 1/2. I noticed she was talking more. Actually constantly. Non stop! I pointed out to Lisa how unusual this was. She said not really. The reason Ally is talking is that she gave up her pacifier 2 weeks ago! She never talked because that thing was always in her mouth. Now she is shouting to the heavens! A happy change!
I started my evening at Kwest listening to Bobby Nesbitt. Always a pleasure!
Then I walked over to La Trattatore and had dinner at the bar. A couple of drinks and my favorite dinner there of spaghetti with oil and garlic.
When I finished dinner I should have gone home. I felt good. I felt comfortable.
But I did not!
Instead I went to the Pier House. Larry smith was featuring Raven as his special vocalist and he had called me earlier and recommended that I stop by to hear her. He said she was different and he thought I would enjoy her.
So I went.
Raven was different! At first I did not like her. However she grew on me!
Her voice can only be described as gutteral. Low and deep. As I listened to her, I came to enjoy her. Very much!
And so I stayed longer than I normally would. And therein was the tragedy which led to my downfall this morning.
I had 3 espresso martinis! On top of several gins earlier!
This is one of those mornings where I swear I will never drink again!
To show that I exercise good judgment, be advised that I called for a cab to take me home.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Yankee Jack is one of the nicest guys in the world! Perhaps the nicest! A kind, soft spoken man.
Yankee sings at the Bull on Duval most afternoons. You name it, he sings it!
And he writes music too! Great ditties!
Like when his first wife had left him for another, he composed a musical tale which included "...I can't get over you till you get out from under him!"
A talent.
Why Yankee today? Well I will tell you. I am very proud of him! He is accomplishing a big deal!
Yankee recently weighed in at 448 pounds. He telphoned me yesterday to say he weighed in at 398! A 50 pound loss! No easy accomplishment for a man his size!
I lost 50 pounds last year on the Nutrisystem diet. Yankee called me a few months ago and asked about it. And then he went on the diet!
Keep up the good work Yankee!
Last night Bob and I spent some time at the Yacht Club. Friday is always a busy time there. A few drinks and a good grouper dinner.
A DUI stop had been set up on the Boulevard on the way into Old Town. I knew about it from the newspaper. One nice thing about Key West is the authorities genrally warn you about these things. And it was also an item of discussion among the club members last night.
No sense in inviting trouble! Bob and I opted not to drive into town. Home is in the opposite direction from the traffic stop. So we drove home. Good judgment exercised! Ergo we could not have had that much to drink!
Bob is gone. He left on a 6 am flight. A good guy! I enjoyed his company! Probably because he did not behave like company! Those of you that occasionally have company down here understand.
A beautiful day in the making! Sun already up. The cold wave is gone. Time to get back to walking. That is next on my agenda this morning. After cuban cofee, toast and the papers at Paradise Cafe, of course!
Yankee sings at the Bull on Duval most afternoons. You name it, he sings it!
And he writes music too! Great ditties!
Like when his first wife had left him for another, he composed a musical tale which included "...I can't get over you till you get out from under him!"
A talent.
Why Yankee today? Well I will tell you. I am very proud of him! He is accomplishing a big deal!
Yankee recently weighed in at 448 pounds. He telphoned me yesterday to say he weighed in at 398! A 50 pound loss! No easy accomplishment for a man his size!
I lost 50 pounds last year on the Nutrisystem diet. Yankee called me a few months ago and asked about it. And then he went on the diet!
Keep up the good work Yankee!
Last night Bob and I spent some time at the Yacht Club. Friday is always a busy time there. A few drinks and a good grouper dinner.
A DUI stop had been set up on the Boulevard on the way into Old Town. I knew about it from the newspaper. One nice thing about Key West is the authorities genrally warn you about these things. And it was also an item of discussion among the club members last night.
No sense in inviting trouble! Bob and I opted not to drive into town. Home is in the opposite direction from the traffic stop. So we drove home. Good judgment exercised! Ergo we could not have had that much to drink!
Bob is gone. He left on a 6 am flight. A good guy! I enjoyed his company! Probably because he did not behave like company! Those of you that occasionally have company down here understand.
A beautiful day in the making! Sun already up. The cold wave is gone. Time to get back to walking. That is next on my agenda this morning. After cuban cofee, toast and the papers at Paradise Cafe, of course!
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