The weather was magnificent yesterday!
I started my day with a long walk along the waterfront. White boats, large and small, meeting the eye. A stimulating sight!
Later I lunched at Paradise Cafe. I was sitting outside reading the papers when the usual company appeared. Chickens! Specifically a rooster and a hen. All of a sudden one of the Paradise staff appeared with a large water gun and started spraying them. Of course, the chickens took off!
The gun is a child's toy. About 18 inches long. And like all toy water guns, merely emits a small shot of water. Nothing special. Nothing different than what my grandkids play with. He told me they had purchased it for $1.75 at K Mart. Made sense. The purpose was to rid the property of the chickens.
Good luck!
Those 2 may have run off. However the neighborhood and all of Key West is loaded with chickens. I think all he experienced was a momentary victory!
Then to Borders. I was excited. I figured the Scott McClellan book would be in and I could start reading it. Not yet! I was told maybe today or perhaps Monday. So I started reading Richard Clark's book covering basically the same topics.
Clark's name is being mentioned these days in relation to McClellan's book. Clark left Bush's staff early on over the Iraqi war. He was severely criticizied for his comments at the time. Even McClellan as Press Secretary had some nasty things to say about him.
It is true however that what goes around, comes around! McClellan now is the one being criticized by the Bush people. McClellan and Clark ran into each other the other night. McClellan apologized to Clark for the comments.
All very interesting! Being the political junkie I am, all this stuff going on intrigues me.
Dinner last night at the Yacht Club with Merle and Susan. A good time!
Merle and Susan are from Stuart. They have a second home in Truman Annex. Merle is an economist. Makes his living as an expert witness in lawsuits. Susan is a psychologist.
Afterwards I intended to go directly home. However my wife wanted to stop at La Te Da. So we went to La Te Da.
We spent time there with good friends Donna and Mary Jo. Mark Watson joined us at our table. Mark is a celebrated singer and professionally a drag queen extraordinaire. He generally performs upstairs at La Te Da.
My wife and I even danced. A big night! Reminded me of the Frank Sinatra line in Chicago "...I knew a man, he danced with his wife, in Chicago my home town!"
Today will be exciting. I am anxious for the Democratic Committee to start its meeting at 9 am re seating the Florida and Michigan delegations. I will be glued to the TV set till it is over!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
I hung out at the house yesterday morning. Did some paper work. Sunned myself. Read.
I had a 1:00 pm meeting of the Key West Symphony Board. It was at the Westin's Bistro Restaurant.
I arrived precisely at 1:00. Everyone was finishing their lunch and the meeting was in full swing. The meeting was scheduled for noon and had begun at noon. Was I embarassed!
My dear friend Howard Livingston of Mile Marker 24 fame wrote a song containing these words: "I'm getting in Key West time..." That I am!
Sebrina Alfonso is the Director of the Key West Symphony. Actually she is the driving force behind the Symphony. In ten years she has brought it to a position of prominence and excellence. A difficult job. Sebrina has performed well both in front of the audience and behind the curtain.
One of the other Board members is Diane Schmidt. A lovely person inside and out!
Diane is the General Manager of the Westin. A big deal! She is a local girl who made good! She and the Westin are major supporters of the Symphony.
The thought just occurs to me that Sebrina is a local also. Here are two women who are shining stars on the Key West scene!
I stopped at the Yacht club last night for a couple of drinks. Talked golf with some of the members. I find it interesting that no one talks boats at the Yacht Club. Everything but.
Then to Kelly's for wings.
The place was empty. Only 8 pm. No one at the bar and only about 3 tables with people. It is obvious the season is over!
I was home to bed and TV. The political junkie in my nature is having a ball! All this stuff about the Scott McClellan book!
I had a 1:00 pm meeting of the Key West Symphony Board. It was at the Westin's Bistro Restaurant.
I arrived precisely at 1:00. Everyone was finishing their lunch and the meeting was in full swing. The meeting was scheduled for noon and had begun at noon. Was I embarassed!
My dear friend Howard Livingston of Mile Marker 24 fame wrote a song containing these words: "I'm getting in Key West time..." That I am!
Sebrina Alfonso is the Director of the Key West Symphony. Actually she is the driving force behind the Symphony. In ten years she has brought it to a position of prominence and excellence. A difficult job. Sebrina has performed well both in front of the audience and behind the curtain.
One of the other Board members is Diane Schmidt. A lovely person inside and out!
Diane is the General Manager of the Westin. A big deal! She is a local girl who made good! She and the Westin are major supporters of the Symphony.
The thought just occurs to me that Sebrina is a local also. Here are two women who are shining stars on the Key West scene!
I stopped at the Yacht club last night for a couple of drinks. Talked golf with some of the members. I find it interesting that no one talks boats at the Yacht Club. Everything but.
Then to Kelly's for wings.
The place was empty. Only 8 pm. No one at the bar and only about 3 tables with people. It is obvious the season is over!
I was home to bed and TV. The political junkie in my nature is having a ball! All this stuff about the Scott McClellan book!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Golf was an ordeal yesterday! We played in all type weather!
Normally about 12 guys show up to play. Yesterday only 5. The rest were too smart!
It had poured earlier. It was lightly raining as we teed off. It poured while we played.
Poured does not adequaely describe it! It came down in heavy buckets! It happened twice, 2-3 holes at a time.
You have to understand that those who play golf under any weather circumstances in Key West consider themselves real men. Testosterone types!
I must be one or I would not have palyed yesterday
And then the rain passed. The sun came out. And it was hot! Blistering hot!
The humidity was thick!
I never was so glad to finish 18 holes!
The 5 nuts who played were Larry, Yankee, Roger, Bud and Louis.
In spite of it all, I won some money. Not as much as the $15 of last week. But I walked away happy!
And tired!
Iwent home, climbed in bed and slept all afternoon.
Normally about 12 guys show up to play. Yesterday only 5. The rest were too smart!
It had poured earlier. It was lightly raining as we teed off. It poured while we played.
Poured does not adequaely describe it! It came down in heavy buckets! It happened twice, 2-3 holes at a time.
You have to understand that those who play golf under any weather circumstances in Key West consider themselves real men. Testosterone types!
I must be one or I would not have palyed yesterday
And then the rain passed. The sun came out. And it was hot! Blistering hot!
The humidity was thick!
I never was so glad to finish 18 holes!
The 5 nuts who played were Larry, Yankee, Roger, Bud and Louis.
In spite of it all, I won some money. Not as much as the $15 of last week. But I walked away happy!
And tired!
Iwent home, climbed in bed and slept all afternoon.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Rain, rain, go away! Little Louis wants to play!
It has been pouring all night. Today is Wednesday. Golf day!
Yesterday was dentist day!
I survived on soup and coffee for 3 days so I would not damage the portion of the cap remaining. I knew from prior experience the dentist needed something to bond onto.
The first time the dentist blew air on the tooth, the balance of the cap dropped off. So much for my diligence!
So what I had anticipated would be a 20 minute visit turned into 2 hours of turmoil! I am being fitted for a new cap. Have a temporary in place. Return in 2 weeks for the permanent one.
I could not wait to go out to dinner last night. I could eat! And eat I did at Antonia's.
Enjoyed dinner at the bar. Seated nearby were Marty and Captain Peter.
Marty is a court stenographer who has a home in Miami and an apartment in Key West. He is here week days taking depositions for attorneys.
Captain Peter is a Key West icon. Tall and stately. Bar handle moustache. White hair. British or Aussie accent. Distinguished appearing. However he does not operate a boat. Though he looks the part, he does not play it. He has sat at the same corner of the dock in front of the Conch Republic for years selling tickets for a sunset sail. Nevertheless he is known throughout Key West as Captain Peter.
Following dinner I was off to the Pier House for Larry Smith's woman's night. Madge Johnson was the featured vocalist.
Madge's successful singing story is typical of the Larry Smith saga.
Madge is a school teacher by day. She now is also a professional singer by evening.
About 10 years ago Madge was one of the Larry Smith fan club. As I presently am. When he is playing, I go to watch and hear. One evening Larry cajoled her into singing. He sensed her talent. He thereafter worked with her, boosted her confidence and is responsible for the voice quality and professionalism Madge now has.
Madge also sings in the choir at St. Paul's with Mary Deasy. At one point Mary joined Madge for a duet. They made beautiful music together!
I must have invoked the gods! The rain has stopped! I am off to golf!
It has been pouring all night. Today is Wednesday. Golf day!
Yesterday was dentist day!
I survived on soup and coffee for 3 days so I would not damage the portion of the cap remaining. I knew from prior experience the dentist needed something to bond onto.
The first time the dentist blew air on the tooth, the balance of the cap dropped off. So much for my diligence!
So what I had anticipated would be a 20 minute visit turned into 2 hours of turmoil! I am being fitted for a new cap. Have a temporary in place. Return in 2 weeks for the permanent one.
I could not wait to go out to dinner last night. I could eat! And eat I did at Antonia's.
Enjoyed dinner at the bar. Seated nearby were Marty and Captain Peter.
Marty is a court stenographer who has a home in Miami and an apartment in Key West. He is here week days taking depositions for attorneys.
Captain Peter is a Key West icon. Tall and stately. Bar handle moustache. White hair. British or Aussie accent. Distinguished appearing. However he does not operate a boat. Though he looks the part, he does not play it. He has sat at the same corner of the dock in front of the Conch Republic for years selling tickets for a sunset sail. Nevertheless he is known throughout Key West as Captain Peter.
Following dinner I was off to the Pier House for Larry Smith's woman's night. Madge Johnson was the featured vocalist.
Madge's successful singing story is typical of the Larry Smith saga.
Madge is a school teacher by day. She now is also a professional singer by evening.
About 10 years ago Madge was one of the Larry Smith fan club. As I presently am. When he is playing, I go to watch and hear. One evening Larry cajoled her into singing. He sensed her talent. He thereafter worked with her, boosted her confidence and is responsible for the voice quality and professionalism Madge now has.
Madge also sings in the choir at St. Paul's with Mary Deasy. At one point Mary joined Madge for a duet. They made beautiful music together!
I must have invoked the gods! The rain has stopped! I am off to golf!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The weather front is still upon us. Nothing bad! Really good!
The temperature has dropped from the mid 90s to the mid 80s. Humidity is at a bare minimum. There is a strong breeze coming off the Atlantic Ocean. Actually a stong wind! It is the this air off the Atlantic which has cooled things down.
All of which meant I was freed from the Home Depot yesterday!
I walked instead on Smathers Beach which runs along the Atlantic. I took full advantage of the stimulating breeze!
Yesterday was Memorial Day so I could not see a dentist. I hope I get into one this morning. I am very self conscious about the gap in my mouth.
Also because of the dental problem, I did not eat normally yesterday. I am fearful of breaking off what is left of the cap thereby preventing a simple bonding to repair it. So it has been soup and coffee for me!
I stayed in the rest of the day avoiding the public!
However last night I had enough of staying in. Had to get out! Last time I was out in town was Friday. Baby sat Saturday. Stayed home Sunday because of the tooth. 72 hours of no fun would be too much!
I opted for dinner at the bar at LaTrattoria. Only soup. And a couple of drinks, of course!
Then to La Te Da. Bobby Nesbitt plays on Monday nights.
There was a good crowd of locals to see and hear him.
Mary Jo, of course. How she does it, I do not know!
And realtor Martha Robinson. A lovely lady and good friend. Martha confuses me. She once was married and had children. Then she became a lesbian for many years. Last year she switched back to men. Now she does both. Confusing is the proper word! I love this lady!
And the list goes on. Including Garden's Hotel owner Kate Miano, female impersonator Randy Roberts and the charming Vera Schiff.
Wonderful people! A wonderful performer! All made for a great evening!
If you are interested, I spoke rarely. Kept my mouth shut. Smiled a lot. And no one was aware of my deformity!
The temperature has dropped from the mid 90s to the mid 80s. Humidity is at a bare minimum. There is a strong breeze coming off the Atlantic Ocean. Actually a stong wind! It is the this air off the Atlantic which has cooled things down.
All of which meant I was freed from the Home Depot yesterday!
I walked instead on Smathers Beach which runs along the Atlantic. I took full advantage of the stimulating breeze!
Yesterday was Memorial Day so I could not see a dentist. I hope I get into one this morning. I am very self conscious about the gap in my mouth.
Also because of the dental problem, I did not eat normally yesterday. I am fearful of breaking off what is left of the cap thereby preventing a simple bonding to repair it. So it has been soup and coffee for me!
I stayed in the rest of the day avoiding the public!
However last night I had enough of staying in. Had to get out! Last time I was out in town was Friday. Baby sat Saturday. Stayed home Sunday because of the tooth. 72 hours of no fun would be too much!
I opted for dinner at the bar at LaTrattoria. Only soup. And a couple of drinks, of course!
Then to La Te Da. Bobby Nesbitt plays on Monday nights.
There was a good crowd of locals to see and hear him.
Mary Jo, of course. How she does it, I do not know!
And realtor Martha Robinson. A lovely lady and good friend. Martha confuses me. She once was married and had children. Then she became a lesbian for many years. Last year she switched back to men. Now she does both. Confusing is the proper word! I love this lady!
And the list goes on. Including Garden's Hotel owner Kate Miano, female impersonator Randy Roberts and the charming Vera Schiff.
Wonderful people! A wonderful performer! All made for a great evening!
If you are interested, I spoke rarely. Kept my mouth shut. Smiled a lot. And no one was aware of my deformity!
Monday, May 26, 2008
What a beautiful day to wake up to!
It rained last night. First time in 47 days. For all of 5 minutes!
However there is some sort of front which is upon us. There is a strong wind. The water is moving rapidly with small whitecaps evident.
The temperature projected for today is in the mid 80s as opposed to the mid 90s we have been experiencing. A cold wave!
Yesterday was Sunday. Breakfast with the grandkids at Camille's. Always a fun time!
Then to Lisa's home to watch Meet the Press. My daughter Lisa and her husband Corey are political junkies also! The fruit does not fall far from the tree!
I was having lunch at home when one of my caps broke. I lost half of a front tooth. All that remains is the white gold post. Except that the white gold post is dark gray!
Respectfully, I look like a homeless person who has not seen a dentist in many a year!
This is a holiday weekend. How would I get a dentist? So I am stuck looking like this till Tuesday at least. Which means my vanity will not permit me to leave the house!
I read. I am into Virginia Senator Jim Webb's book A Time To Fight. Good reading. The book provides excellent insight into Webb's motivations. He would make a good Vice Presidential candidate to Obama. A Vietnam veteran, he served as Assistant Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy under Reagan. He is a thinker also! I enjoyed observing the operation of his mind, his thought development, his rationalizations and justifications.
Since I was stuck home, I decided last night was a good time to watch the HBO special Recount, the story of the 2,000 Presidential election. The only problem, and one of which I was unaware, is that my expensive cable hook up does not provide HBO! Life sometimes sucks!
It was an early night to sleep.
Today I am going to walk. However I am going somewhere where I will see few people and no one I know. I do not wish to open my mouth!
It rained last night. First time in 47 days. For all of 5 minutes!
However there is some sort of front which is upon us. There is a strong wind. The water is moving rapidly with small whitecaps evident.
The temperature projected for today is in the mid 80s as opposed to the mid 90s we have been experiencing. A cold wave!
Yesterday was Sunday. Breakfast with the grandkids at Camille's. Always a fun time!
Then to Lisa's home to watch Meet the Press. My daughter Lisa and her husband Corey are political junkies also! The fruit does not fall far from the tree!
I was having lunch at home when one of my caps broke. I lost half of a front tooth. All that remains is the white gold post. Except that the white gold post is dark gray!
Respectfully, I look like a homeless person who has not seen a dentist in many a year!
This is a holiday weekend. How would I get a dentist? So I am stuck looking like this till Tuesday at least. Which means my vanity will not permit me to leave the house!
I read. I am into Virginia Senator Jim Webb's book A Time To Fight. Good reading. The book provides excellent insight into Webb's motivations. He would make a good Vice Presidential candidate to Obama. A Vietnam veteran, he served as Assistant Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy under Reagan. He is a thinker also! I enjoyed observing the operation of his mind, his thought development, his rationalizations and justifications.
Since I was stuck home, I decided last night was a good time to watch the HBO special Recount, the story of the 2,000 Presidential election. The only problem, and one of which I was unaware, is that my expensive cable hook up does not provide HBO! Life sometimes sucks!
It was an early night to sleep.
Today I am going to walk. However I am going somewhere where I will see few people and no one I know. I do not wish to open my mouth!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
I filled my gas tank the other day. $71.00!
My sports car requires premium/high test. I paid $4.20 a gallon. Regular was around $3.95 a gallon.
Yesterday regular was $4.20! A $.25 increase in only 2 days!
The question no longer is what is going on. We know what is going on. We are being ripped off!
No one seems to be doing anything about it.
And I fear that we as a people do not yet really care! We talk a good game. We complain. But that is about it!
There are 2 major gas stations at the same intersection in Key West. One had regular yesterday at $4.20 and the other at $4.04. A $.16 per gallon difference!
The more expensive station had 6 cars pumping gas and the cheaper one only 1.
You explain it!
My sports car requires premium/high test. I paid $4.20 a gallon. Regular was around $3.95 a gallon.
Yesterday regular was $4.20! A $.25 increase in only 2 days!
The question no longer is what is going on. We know what is going on. We are being ripped off!
No one seems to be doing anything about it.
And I fear that we as a people do not yet really care! We talk a good game. We complain. But that is about it!
There are 2 major gas stations at the same intersection in Key West. One had regular yesterday at $4.20 and the other at $4.04. A $.16 per gallon difference!
The more expensive station had 6 cars pumping gas and the cheaper one only 1.
You explain it!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Big night last night! The start of the Memorial Day Weekend!
That means an influx of tourists to Key West for the weekend. Festivity in the air. Good for the tourists! Good for the merchants!
Dinner was scheduled for 7:30 at LaTrattoria. Donna was to meet my wife and I at the bar. Not Donna the barmaid. The other one.
It was 8:30 before Donna showed up. She was unreachable by phone. I was concerned. I thought either Mary Jo had died or some sudden tragedy had befallen Donna. None of the preceding. She overslept! After working starting at 6 am and all day, she lay down for a nap and never even heard the phone!
Anyhow, we were happy to finally see her! Also hungry! I had already had 3 drinks too many while waiting!
Besides Memorial Day, Key West is celebrating Cuban Heritage Weekend. Roots are important. And part of Key West's heritage includes its Cuban population which came to Key West back in the 1800s. To place it all in proper perspective, they have been here longer than my people who started coming over from Italy in the early 1900s.
Key West's Cuban Americans today are an entrenched vital part of the community. Many hold prominent positions of leadership in business and government.
You are probably wondering why I am getting into such depth regarding the Cuban Heritage Weekend. The answer is simple. There was a huge parade down Duval Street last night commerating the event. Bands, floats, dancers, singers. The whole works!
At some point during dinner I went outside for a cigarette. LaTrattoria is located on Duval Street. Iwalked into the middle of the parade!
What a great event!
And it brought back to mind Jose Marti.
There were many drawings and pictures of Marti on the floats and also being carried.
Marti is credited with being the Father of Free Cuba. He was a poet, writer, professor and leader. He also was a revolutionary.
The Spaniards were bad guys back in the 1800s. Marti was twice deported to Spain from Cuba. He was first imprisoned by the Spaniards at 16 for 6 years.
He was the George Washington of Cuban independence.
He died in the battle for Cuban independence in 1895. He was feared by the Spaniards. The custom was to burn the bodies of the war dead. The Spaniards would not burn Marti's body. They considered him a devil and feared they would inhale his ashes to their detriment. So his body was buried. And properly so!
Marti resided for many years in Key West. His residence was the same building that now houses La Te Da. By the way, Marti's full name was Jose la te da Marti.
Marti used to give rousing speeches for Cuban liberation from the porch on the second floor of La Te Da. The exterior of the buillding is the same today as it was then.
After dinner, we went where? To La Te Da, of course! For a joyful conclusion to a very happy, and thoughtful, evening!
That means an influx of tourists to Key West for the weekend. Festivity in the air. Good for the tourists! Good for the merchants!
Dinner was scheduled for 7:30 at LaTrattoria. Donna was to meet my wife and I at the bar. Not Donna the barmaid. The other one.
It was 8:30 before Donna showed up. She was unreachable by phone. I was concerned. I thought either Mary Jo had died or some sudden tragedy had befallen Donna. None of the preceding. She overslept! After working starting at 6 am and all day, she lay down for a nap and never even heard the phone!
Anyhow, we were happy to finally see her! Also hungry! I had already had 3 drinks too many while waiting!
Besides Memorial Day, Key West is celebrating Cuban Heritage Weekend. Roots are important. And part of Key West's heritage includes its Cuban population which came to Key West back in the 1800s. To place it all in proper perspective, they have been here longer than my people who started coming over from Italy in the early 1900s.
Key West's Cuban Americans today are an entrenched vital part of the community. Many hold prominent positions of leadership in business and government.
You are probably wondering why I am getting into such depth regarding the Cuban Heritage Weekend. The answer is simple. There was a huge parade down Duval Street last night commerating the event. Bands, floats, dancers, singers. The whole works!
At some point during dinner I went outside for a cigarette. LaTrattoria is located on Duval Street. Iwalked into the middle of the parade!
What a great event!
And it brought back to mind Jose Marti.
There were many drawings and pictures of Marti on the floats and also being carried.
Marti is credited with being the Father of Free Cuba. He was a poet, writer, professor and leader. He also was a revolutionary.
The Spaniards were bad guys back in the 1800s. Marti was twice deported to Spain from Cuba. He was first imprisoned by the Spaniards at 16 for 6 years.
He was the George Washington of Cuban independence.
He died in the battle for Cuban independence in 1895. He was feared by the Spaniards. The custom was to burn the bodies of the war dead. The Spaniards would not burn Marti's body. They considered him a devil and feared they would inhale his ashes to their detriment. So his body was buried. And properly so!
Marti resided for many years in Key West. His residence was the same building that now houses La Te Da. By the way, Marti's full name was Jose la te da Marti.
Marti used to give rousing speeches for Cuban liberation from the porch on the second floor of La Te Da. The exterior of the buillding is the same today as it was then.
After dinner, we went where? To La Te Da, of course! For a joyful conclusion to a very happy, and thoughtful, evening!
Friday, May 23, 2008
An overall nice day yesterday!
I stayed in bed late. Till around 11. Something I rarely do. I am generally up before the sun.
Started the day with a walk. At Home Depot again. I should get a job there! People keep asking me where things are! And I know!
Then to one of my favorite haunts the Paradise Cafe. Lunched inside however. There was this terrible stench outside! Apparently one of the chickens died under the porch and they could not get at it. With the heat and humidity, it was too much to handle.
All of a sudden I have 2 friends in the hospital. Mary Jo and Donna. So off I went to visit.
Mary Jo was doing chemo. Twenty four hours straight once every 2 weeks. Her condition was so bad the doctors predicted she would not make last Christmas! She is still here! And interestingly she has not been sick once from the chemo. Amazing in and of itself! Even more amazing is Mary Jo!
Donna the barmaid. No, Donna the bartender. Poor Donna had a knee replacement 3 days ago. Oh, the pain! Even the drugs were not helping. I felt very bad for Donna. She said she would rather deliver 10 sets of twins naturally rather than what she was going through. Again, poor Donna!
Last night was drinks and dinner at Square One. Michael Stewart has a new menu! Different! You build your own meal. For example, you select from a list of several the sauce you want to accompany the entre. Fun! And the food was good! The place was packed with locals last night. A good time was had by all!
Afterwards a short walk to La Te Da. Debra and Patrick appearing again. Great voices! Great people! I had just left them at Square One. They had dinner there also. I was surprised that they got to La Te Da so fast and were already working/singing when I arrived.
La Te Da is a fantastic place! A locals hangout. The crowd mixed. Gay and straight. Every one knows just about every one else.
Last night there were 2 different and special guests. One was someone's father. He was 95 years old. The quiet type. He sat there with his son and enjoyed Debra and the attention everyone at the bar was giving him. The other was a woman who turned 100 last April 21. She sharply walked up to the bar, sat down and in a brisk tone ordered a chardonnay from Sassy. I was waiting for her to pull out a cigarette!
They were not together.
I spoke with both. Interesting people. I bet they have a lot of stories to tell!
Cora from New York wrote me yeterday. I assume she is from New York. She is girl friend to Mike Yutzy's friend Pete. You will recall I had the distinction and pleasure of being with Mike and Pete for 2 consecutive nights. It is going to take a week for my body to return to normal!
Anyhow, Cora complains that I did not mention her in my blog. She is correct! Cora the blog is about my life in Key West! I should at least meet you first. Come down here! Next time impose on Pete to bring you! We will all do a Key West night on the town!
Let me tell you also Cora that Pete did talk about you. Actually he told my wife who was having dinner with us. He is in love. For about a year. And experiencing that closing in feeling that most men go through as they think the path in their lives may take a turn. Apparently in this day and age, committment for a man is a tortiously difficult thing!
I am up early today! Still dark. Black. No hint of the sun yet.
I stayed in bed late. Till around 11. Something I rarely do. I am generally up before the sun.
Started the day with a walk. At Home Depot again. I should get a job there! People keep asking me where things are! And I know!
Then to one of my favorite haunts the Paradise Cafe. Lunched inside however. There was this terrible stench outside! Apparently one of the chickens died under the porch and they could not get at it. With the heat and humidity, it was too much to handle.
All of a sudden I have 2 friends in the hospital. Mary Jo and Donna. So off I went to visit.
Mary Jo was doing chemo. Twenty four hours straight once every 2 weeks. Her condition was so bad the doctors predicted she would not make last Christmas! She is still here! And interestingly she has not been sick once from the chemo. Amazing in and of itself! Even more amazing is Mary Jo!
Donna the barmaid. No, Donna the bartender. Poor Donna had a knee replacement 3 days ago. Oh, the pain! Even the drugs were not helping. I felt very bad for Donna. She said she would rather deliver 10 sets of twins naturally rather than what she was going through. Again, poor Donna!
Last night was drinks and dinner at Square One. Michael Stewart has a new menu! Different! You build your own meal. For example, you select from a list of several the sauce you want to accompany the entre. Fun! And the food was good! The place was packed with locals last night. A good time was had by all!
Afterwards a short walk to La Te Da. Debra and Patrick appearing again. Great voices! Great people! I had just left them at Square One. They had dinner there also. I was surprised that they got to La Te Da so fast and were already working/singing when I arrived.
La Te Da is a fantastic place! A locals hangout. The crowd mixed. Gay and straight. Every one knows just about every one else.
Last night there were 2 different and special guests. One was someone's father. He was 95 years old. The quiet type. He sat there with his son and enjoyed Debra and the attention everyone at the bar was giving him. The other was a woman who turned 100 last April 21. She sharply walked up to the bar, sat down and in a brisk tone ordered a chardonnay from Sassy. I was waiting for her to pull out a cigarette!
They were not together.
I spoke with both. Interesting people. I bet they have a lot of stories to tell!
Cora from New York wrote me yeterday. I assume she is from New York. She is girl friend to Mike Yutzy's friend Pete. You will recall I had the distinction and pleasure of being with Mike and Pete for 2 consecutive nights. It is going to take a week for my body to return to normal!
Anyhow, Cora complains that I did not mention her in my blog. She is correct! Cora the blog is about my life in Key West! I should at least meet you first. Come down here! Next time impose on Pete to bring you! We will all do a Key West night on the town!
Let me tell you also Cora that Pete did talk about you. Actually he told my wife who was having dinner with us. He is in love. For about a year. And experiencing that closing in feeling that most men go through as they think the path in their lives may take a turn. Apparently in this day and age, committment for a man is a tortiously difficult thing!
I am up early today! Still dark. Black. No hint of the sun yet.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Great golf day yesterday!
I won $15! Says it all! I played well for me!
Our four some played a 2 man scramble. I was teamed with Roger. Our opponents were Larry and Aaron.
Roger is the best golfer in the bunch. He drives long like a pro. I am the worst. Never break a 100. So we were teamed together.
Larry and Aaron play about equal. Generally shoot in the low 90s and every now and then in the high 80s. So they teamed together.
No strokes for anyone.
Yesterday I did not need any! I played over my head!
It was a close match. We won 1 up on both sides and also the all over. A great feeling! It was a pleasure playing with you Roger!
Last night I met the bad guys from the night before. Mike Yutzy, Pete Alfano and Adam Alfano.
We were to meet at 6 at Kwest to hear Bobby Nesbitt. I was a bit late. Mike telephoned me to say he was a bit uncomfortable with the place and would wait for me outside.
Kwest is a gay bar. For 2 hours each Wednesday, the whole world is permitted to enter. Even women! For Bobby Nesbitt! Otherwise it is strictly for guys so inclined and features for example wet jock strap contests on the bar.
Well these worldly three were not comfortable with the surroundings. I was not on time. So they disappeared for awhile. They finally showed up. I tried to ease their self imposed discomfort.
It was like singing to the choir!It helped a bit, but not much. Mike had to take a wicked piss. He would not go into the men's room! So suffer he did! And well deservedly!
Ho ho! No, ha, ha!
Later we had dinner at LaTrattoria. Another great meal!
And great conversation! These are intelligent guys. Very interested in the coming election. Mike seems to be a McCain supporter. Makes sense since he now lives in Phoenix. Pete is an Obama person! He is a creature of New York City. Adam is quiet. It was difficult for me to fix his political leanings.
But smart guys all! Being the political junkie I am, I found the table conversation stimulating and exciting!
Pete is obviously a ladies man extrodinaire! Smooth. He talks to ALL the women he can! Never passed a good looking one without stopping to chat. A talented communicator! I envy him. I never had the talent.
After dinner, they left town. Their Key West trip concluded, they were off to spend the night at Adam's place in Ilseamorada. Adam had a 5 am fishing charter this morning.
They will return to Key West. I am confident of it.
The sun is up. Time to walk.
I won $15! Says it all! I played well for me!
Our four some played a 2 man scramble. I was teamed with Roger. Our opponents were Larry and Aaron.
Roger is the best golfer in the bunch. He drives long like a pro. I am the worst. Never break a 100. So we were teamed together.
Larry and Aaron play about equal. Generally shoot in the low 90s and every now and then in the high 80s. So they teamed together.
No strokes for anyone.
Yesterday I did not need any! I played over my head!
It was a close match. We won 1 up on both sides and also the all over. A great feeling! It was a pleasure playing with you Roger!
Last night I met the bad guys from the night before. Mike Yutzy, Pete Alfano and Adam Alfano.
We were to meet at 6 at Kwest to hear Bobby Nesbitt. I was a bit late. Mike telephoned me to say he was a bit uncomfortable with the place and would wait for me outside.
Kwest is a gay bar. For 2 hours each Wednesday, the whole world is permitted to enter. Even women! For Bobby Nesbitt! Otherwise it is strictly for guys so inclined and features for example wet jock strap contests on the bar.
Well these worldly three were not comfortable with the surroundings. I was not on time. So they disappeared for awhile. They finally showed up. I tried to ease their self imposed discomfort.
It was like singing to the choir!It helped a bit, but not much. Mike had to take a wicked piss. He would not go into the men's room! So suffer he did! And well deservedly!
Ho ho! No, ha, ha!
Later we had dinner at LaTrattoria. Another great meal!
And great conversation! These are intelligent guys. Very interested in the coming election. Mike seems to be a McCain supporter. Makes sense since he now lives in Phoenix. Pete is an Obama person! He is a creature of New York City. Adam is quiet. It was difficult for me to fix his political leanings.
But smart guys all! Being the political junkie I am, I found the table conversation stimulating and exciting!
Pete is obviously a ladies man extrodinaire! Smooth. He talks to ALL the women he can! Never passed a good looking one without stopping to chat. A talented communicator! I envy him. I never had the talent.
After dinner, they left town. Their Key West trip concluded, they were off to spend the night at Adam's place in Ilseamorada. Adam had a 5 am fishing charter this morning.
They will return to Key West. I am confident of it.
The sun is up. Time to walk.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Great day yesterday!
An early walk. Again at Home Depot. The summer humidity is upon us!
Then cuban toast and coffee and the papers at Paradise Cafe. Followed by playing with the grandkids awhile.
Last night a special friend arrived in Key West. Mike Yutzy! Mike now hails from Phoenix. A money man! Involved in finding the green for major investments in the real estate field. A tough business at this time!
He brought with him his friends Adam Alfano and Pete Alfano. Adam and Pete are cousins.
These guys all grew up together on Long Island.
Adam now lives in Isleamorada. He owns and operates a fishing boat. A nice guy! Use him for your fishing trips. He can be reached at PricefighterCharters.com.
Pete lives in New York City. On the upper east side where all the today movers reside. He is a money man also . Works as a consultant on various deals.
Interestingly Mike and Pete both went to Fordham. I went to Manhatttan. Collegiate rivals. Across the park from each other in the Bronx. Of course I went about 40 years before these guys!
Somewhere along the way before we met last night, Adam found Ollie. Ollie lives in Key West. In fact, Ollie is a Conch! A very proud thing! Born here! She works at the Ocean Key House doing nails and also goes to the community college studying nursing.
We started the evening at Antonia's at the bar. Then dinner. A great table! Interesting people! Great conversation!
Then down Duval Street packed in my convertible with the top down. Gave them a first hand view of Duval Street!
I took them to the Pier House and Larry Smith. Vicky Rausch was singing. Another other good time!
Note that we are imbibing along the way. We started drinking at the bar at Antonia's and were still doing so. These young guys put them down easy! And seemingly without any damage. I was getting bombed!
I was the guide. So the next stop was Irish Kevin's. Somewhere along the way we lost Ollie. And then at Irish Kevin's we lost Louis. I had had it! Too much booze!
Young guys always want ladies! Well, so do older guys! That never changes. So I left them with instructions to move on to the Red Garter and Rick's across the street if the eternal search at Irish Kevin's was unsuccessful.
The Red Garter is a gentlemen's club. A modern description for a strip joint! Rick's is a local rooftop hangout where young females gather. Note carefully that I have never been in either place! Scout's honor!
The drive home was difficult.
We may get together again tonight. I told them I am only interested in their company for the early evening. Bobby Nebitt at Kwest and dinner. Then they are on their own!
It is Wednesday morning. Golf time. My head feels as big as the head on my new driver! Ohhhhhh!
An early walk. Again at Home Depot. The summer humidity is upon us!
Then cuban toast and coffee and the papers at Paradise Cafe. Followed by playing with the grandkids awhile.
Last night a special friend arrived in Key West. Mike Yutzy! Mike now hails from Phoenix. A money man! Involved in finding the green for major investments in the real estate field. A tough business at this time!
He brought with him his friends Adam Alfano and Pete Alfano. Adam and Pete are cousins.
These guys all grew up together on Long Island.
Adam now lives in Isleamorada. He owns and operates a fishing boat. A nice guy! Use him for your fishing trips. He can be reached at PricefighterCharters.com.
Pete lives in New York City. On the upper east side where all the today movers reside. He is a money man also . Works as a consultant on various deals.
Interestingly Mike and Pete both went to Fordham. I went to Manhatttan. Collegiate rivals. Across the park from each other in the Bronx. Of course I went about 40 years before these guys!
Somewhere along the way before we met last night, Adam found Ollie. Ollie lives in Key West. In fact, Ollie is a Conch! A very proud thing! Born here! She works at the Ocean Key House doing nails and also goes to the community college studying nursing.
We started the evening at Antonia's at the bar. Then dinner. A great table! Interesting people! Great conversation!
Then down Duval Street packed in my convertible with the top down. Gave them a first hand view of Duval Street!
I took them to the Pier House and Larry Smith. Vicky Rausch was singing. Another other good time!
Note that we are imbibing along the way. We started drinking at the bar at Antonia's and were still doing so. These young guys put them down easy! And seemingly without any damage. I was getting bombed!
I was the guide. So the next stop was Irish Kevin's. Somewhere along the way we lost Ollie. And then at Irish Kevin's we lost Louis. I had had it! Too much booze!
Young guys always want ladies! Well, so do older guys! That never changes. So I left them with instructions to move on to the Red Garter and Rick's across the street if the eternal search at Irish Kevin's was unsuccessful.
The Red Garter is a gentlemen's club. A modern description for a strip joint! Rick's is a local rooftop hangout where young females gather. Note carefully that I have never been in either place! Scout's honor!
The drive home was difficult.
We may get together again tonight. I told them I am only interested in their company for the early evening. Bobby Nebitt at Kwest and dinner. Then they are on their own!
It is Wednesday morning. Golf time. My head feels as big as the head on my new driver! Ohhhhhh!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Hot and humid!
Yesterday was a tough one. Temperature hit 94. Heavy humidity.
I started walking and it hit me! So I jumped in the car and drove to Home Depot. I walked inside in air conditioned comfort!
Then to Paradise Cafe for lunch and the papers. Sat outside in the shade. Still hot!
Now from hot to cold!
Last night I had dinner at the bar at Antonia's. Christoper the owner was there. Christopher is originally from Turin, NY. Turin is about 14 miles north of Utica from whence I come.
Christoper told me it had snowed yesterday on Tug Hill, a suburb of Turin. Three inches on the ground!
Out came the cell and I immediately telephoned my father back in Utica. We talk almost daily. I have been telling him for the past 3 weeks that it would snow again in Utica before Memorial Day. It always snows late in May. One last burst of winter!
I told my father that it snowed on Tug Hill. He knew. He said the temperature was 36 degrees. I asked if it had snowed in Utica. He said no, BUT it had snowed last week. However the snow melted as it hit the ground so he did not tell me. Actually he did not tell me because he did not want me to know I was correct. It is a game we play.
It snowed last week in Utica. It snowed yesterday on Tug Hill. In between the area had been experiencing 75 degree weather. Amazing, isn't it! And that is the way it is every year!
After Antonia's I went over to the Pier House to hear Larry Smith's jazz night. Wonderful! With Skipper on the drums and Alex on the horn! Great music!
I am going to walk this morning just as the sun breaks over the horizon. It will be cooler and easier.
Yesterday was a tough one. Temperature hit 94. Heavy humidity.
I started walking and it hit me! So I jumped in the car and drove to Home Depot. I walked inside in air conditioned comfort!
Then to Paradise Cafe for lunch and the papers. Sat outside in the shade. Still hot!
Now from hot to cold!
Last night I had dinner at the bar at Antonia's. Christoper the owner was there. Christopher is originally from Turin, NY. Turin is about 14 miles north of Utica from whence I come.
Christoper told me it had snowed yesterday on Tug Hill, a suburb of Turin. Three inches on the ground!
Out came the cell and I immediately telephoned my father back in Utica. We talk almost daily. I have been telling him for the past 3 weeks that it would snow again in Utica before Memorial Day. It always snows late in May. One last burst of winter!
I told my father that it snowed on Tug Hill. He knew. He said the temperature was 36 degrees. I asked if it had snowed in Utica. He said no, BUT it had snowed last week. However the snow melted as it hit the ground so he did not tell me. Actually he did not tell me because he did not want me to know I was correct. It is a game we play.
It snowed last week in Utica. It snowed yesterday on Tug Hill. In between the area had been experiencing 75 degree weather. Amazing, isn't it! And that is the way it is every year!
After Antonia's I went over to the Pier House to hear Larry Smith's jazz night. Wonderful! With Skipper on the drums and Alex on the horn! Great music!
I am going to walk this morning just as the sun breaks over the horizon. It will be cooler and easier.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Lovely morning! Bright sun, soft breeze, slow moving water.
Breakfast yesterday with the grandkids at Camille's. Always fun!
Robert is now a big boy. Four!
There is a dish of candy for children at Camille's. It is for the kids. My grandkids always go for their piece as we leave. Not Robert yesterday! He was adamant he was too old!
Hot yesterday! Lisa and the kids were over for pool time later in the afternoon. No swimming for Robert. He was wearing the new Ironman costume he received for his birthday. He refused to remove it!
Apparently this fourth birthday has had some impact on Robert!
Last night was a fun time!
We were sitting on the deck when one of the neighbors called out across the water to come over for dinner. He and his friends had just returned from a successful fishing trip.
We enjoyed grunk, snapper and I don't know what. A great meal! And equally great company!
A nice day! A typical Key West day!
Breakfast yesterday with the grandkids at Camille's. Always fun!
Robert is now a big boy. Four!
There is a dish of candy for children at Camille's. It is for the kids. My grandkids always go for their piece as we leave. Not Robert yesterday! He was adamant he was too old!
Hot yesterday! Lisa and the kids were over for pool time later in the afternoon. No swimming for Robert. He was wearing the new Ironman costume he received for his birthday. He refused to remove it!
Apparently this fourth birthday has had some impact on Robert!
Last night was a fun time!
We were sitting on the deck when one of the neighbors called out across the water to come over for dinner. He and his friends had just returned from a successful fishing trip.
We enjoyed grunk, snapper and I don't know what. A great meal! And equally great company!
A nice day! A typical Key West day!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
I opened my eyes this morning just in time to see the sun rising over the water. A bright yellow ball! Going to be another knockout day!
Yesterday was filled with all kinds of pleasures.
We celebrated grandson Robert's fourth birthday at noon. He was really 4 on Thursday, but the party was yesterday.
Lisa reminded me that it was 4 years ago to the day that Robert was at Miami Children's Hospital having surgery to remove the cancer from his liver. And there blowing out the candles was this strong vibrant beautiful young boy! A wonder!
This is the day of the Superheroes. When I arrived for the party, Robert was dressed as Batman. However after he opened his gifts, he became Ironman. A new costume!
These superhero costumes are terific! They even have abs!
The bocci playoffs started yesterday afternoon. Although my team was easily vanquished during the season, I went to support my friends on the Don's Place team. They had ended up second in the regular season.
They lost! Sad!
Two reasons why. The other team was very good! No question about it! They got the ball on the polina constantly. The two were inseparable! Also not all of Don's team could show up. Chris, who is spectacular at bocci, was in Hawaii and Roger was off working or at a meeting somewhere. Priorities, gentlemen!
The playoffs are an event! Festival like! Tents! Not only for the food and drinks, but also for the players. Bright blue tents at each end of the bocci courts to shade the players. Wow! It was a festive time! We had our own Preakness here in Key West!
Last night my son in law Corey gave a lecture in the courtyard of the Mel Fisher Museum. Corey is the chief archiologist at the Museum. An interesting presentation! Corey is an expert on slave ships. He spoke last night about the human cargo of the slave ship Peter Mowell which sank in the Bahamas. An interesting tale with somewhat of a happy ending. Most of the slaves were saved. Since the Bahamas were British and slavery was prohibited under British law, the human cargo became free persons and eventually acclimated into Bahamian society.
Then to Kelly's for wings.
My choice at this point was home to bed, the Pier House to hear Larry Smith or La Te Da. La Te Da won!
I was only going to have one drink. It turned into two. But I had a good time! I even danced!
Today is Sunday. Sunday is breakfast with Lisa, Corey and the grandkids! It is off to Camille's!
Yesterday was filled with all kinds of pleasures.
We celebrated grandson Robert's fourth birthday at noon. He was really 4 on Thursday, but the party was yesterday.
Lisa reminded me that it was 4 years ago to the day that Robert was at Miami Children's Hospital having surgery to remove the cancer from his liver. And there blowing out the candles was this strong vibrant beautiful young boy! A wonder!
This is the day of the Superheroes. When I arrived for the party, Robert was dressed as Batman. However after he opened his gifts, he became Ironman. A new costume!
These superhero costumes are terific! They even have abs!
The bocci playoffs started yesterday afternoon. Although my team was easily vanquished during the season, I went to support my friends on the Don's Place team. They had ended up second in the regular season.
They lost! Sad!
Two reasons why. The other team was very good! No question about it! They got the ball on the polina constantly. The two were inseparable! Also not all of Don's team could show up. Chris, who is spectacular at bocci, was in Hawaii and Roger was off working or at a meeting somewhere. Priorities, gentlemen!
The playoffs are an event! Festival like! Tents! Not only for the food and drinks, but also for the players. Bright blue tents at each end of the bocci courts to shade the players. Wow! It was a festive time! We had our own Preakness here in Key West!
Last night my son in law Corey gave a lecture in the courtyard of the Mel Fisher Museum. Corey is the chief archiologist at the Museum. An interesting presentation! Corey is an expert on slave ships. He spoke last night about the human cargo of the slave ship Peter Mowell which sank in the Bahamas. An interesting tale with somewhat of a happy ending. Most of the slaves were saved. Since the Bahamas were British and slavery was prohibited under British law, the human cargo became free persons and eventually acclimated into Bahamian society.
Then to Kelly's for wings.
My choice at this point was home to bed, the Pier House to hear Larry Smith or La Te Da. La Te Da won!
I was only going to have one drink. It turned into two. But I had a good time! I even danced!
Today is Sunday. Sunday is breakfast with Lisa, Corey and the grandkids! It is off to Camille's!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Yesterday was another glorious day in Paradise!
The weather is as close to perfect as it can get. High 80s to low 90s by day. Just a touch of humidity. Cool by night. Drove with the top down last evening.
A quiet day. A walk. Lunch and papers at Paradise Cafe. Some reading at Borders. Then home to TV to get my political fix for the day. Things are certainly heating up. Hope it all results in some good. We certainly need it!
Dinner last night at the Yacht Club. A few drinks and chat with friends.
Then on to La Te Da to hear Debra and Patrick. Chatted with them a bit. And with Donna and Mary Jo.
Then home to an early bed.
Today we are celebrating grandson Robert's fourth birthday. Whoopie! One of his gifts is an Iron Man costume. Big time! Hard face mask and hard chest plate. He'll love it!
The sun is just coming up. I am going to go outside and watch it.
The weather is as close to perfect as it can get. High 80s to low 90s by day. Just a touch of humidity. Cool by night. Drove with the top down last evening.
A quiet day. A walk. Lunch and papers at Paradise Cafe. Some reading at Borders. Then home to TV to get my political fix for the day. Things are certainly heating up. Hope it all results in some good. We certainly need it!
Dinner last night at the Yacht Club. A few drinks and chat with friends.
Then on to La Te Da to hear Debra and Patrick. Chatted with them a bit. And with Donna and Mary Jo.
Then home to an early bed.
Today we are celebrating grandson Robert's fourth birthday. Whoopie! One of his gifts is an Iron Man costume. Big time! Hard face mask and hard chest plate. He'll love it!
The sun is just coming up. I am going to go outside and watch it.
Friday, May 16, 2008
There is a keys problem which requires, no, demands attention.
The black oily feeling soot which has been falling upon us the past several months!
People are starting to talk about it. No one yet is doing anything about it.
I periodically find all or a portion of my car covered with small drops of water which develop into small black blotches/circles. For example, last week I was at the airport to pick someone up. I parked my car in the lot for all of 15 minutes. When I returned the back half of the car appeared to have been rained on. Only the back half. Looked like small drops of water. By the time I arrived home, the little watery appearing drops were a bed of black blotches.
My deck chairs and deck are covered in this stuff. Sometimes you can't see it. But you can feel it.
I walk it into the house and on the carpets.
Fences and walls in town are also covered. I am told that in some instances it is difficut to remove. Washing alone will not do the job.
If it is falling on us and our property, we are also ingesting it. YES, WE ARE BREATHING THIS STUFF IN!
What danger does it portend? What affect, if any, is it having on the health of adults and children alike?
People are just starting to talk about it. No one yet seems to be doing anything about it. This blog is intnended to be a wake up call. Talk to the mayor, commissioners, health officials and anyone else. Make your voices heard! This could be a major problem in the making!
The only written material I have seen was someone's thoughts in the comment section of the Key West Citizen. That person thought the black stuff was coming from the emissions of the cruise ships in port.
Someone else I was discussing this potential danger with thought it was the fires up north in Broward County. The smoke was drifting down here and over us.
I disagree. The problem has long preexisted the fires.
Again it is time to be aroused! To be concerned. Let's find out the source of the problem and correct it. Now, before it is too late!
The black oily feeling soot which has been falling upon us the past several months!
People are starting to talk about it. No one yet is doing anything about it.
I periodically find all or a portion of my car covered with small drops of water which develop into small black blotches/circles. For example, last week I was at the airport to pick someone up. I parked my car in the lot for all of 15 minutes. When I returned the back half of the car appeared to have been rained on. Only the back half. Looked like small drops of water. By the time I arrived home, the little watery appearing drops were a bed of black blotches.
My deck chairs and deck are covered in this stuff. Sometimes you can't see it. But you can feel it.
I walk it into the house and on the carpets.
Fences and walls in town are also covered. I am told that in some instances it is difficut to remove. Washing alone will not do the job.
If it is falling on us and our property, we are also ingesting it. YES, WE ARE BREATHING THIS STUFF IN!
What danger does it portend? What affect, if any, is it having on the health of adults and children alike?
People are just starting to talk about it. No one yet seems to be doing anything about it. This blog is intnended to be a wake up call. Talk to the mayor, commissioners, health officials and anyone else. Make your voices heard! This could be a major problem in the making!
The only written material I have seen was someone's thoughts in the comment section of the Key West Citizen. That person thought the black stuff was coming from the emissions of the cruise ships in port.
Someone else I was discussing this potential danger with thought it was the fires up north in Broward County. The smoke was drifting down here and over us.
I disagree. The problem has long preexisted the fires.
Again it is time to be aroused! To be concerned. Let's find out the source of the problem and correct it. Now, before it is too late!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Played golf yesterday with dour Aaaron and happy Yankee Jack! Luv them both!
My game is improving. However my score does not yet show it. Golfers will understand!
Then a pedicure and manicure. My relaxation after beating myself up on the golf course!
I continue reading Barbara Walters' book at Borders. It grows on you! I did not like it at first. I suggest you read it.
Dinner after Bobby Nesbitt last night at Antonia's with Donna and Mary Jo. As usual, good company and good food!
Donna and Mary Jo had been in Miami yesterday to see a surgeon for Mary Jo. Apparently Mary Jo is not yet ready for surgery. He wants the tumor to shrink more. So it is several more weeks of chemo for Mary Jo. She is not a happy camper about it, but will do it. One tough lady!
The sun is up. Another great Key West day in the making.
I am going for a walk before it gets too hot.
My game is improving. However my score does not yet show it. Golfers will understand!
Then a pedicure and manicure. My relaxation after beating myself up on the golf course!
I continue reading Barbara Walters' book at Borders. It grows on you! I did not like it at first. I suggest you read it.
Dinner after Bobby Nesbitt last night at Antonia's with Donna and Mary Jo. As usual, good company and good food!
Donna and Mary Jo had been in Miami yesterday to see a surgeon for Mary Jo. Apparently Mary Jo is not yet ready for surgery. He wants the tumor to shrink more. So it is several more weeks of chemo for Mary Jo. She is not a happy camper about it, but will do it. One tough lady!
The sun is up. Another great Key West day in the making.
I am going for a walk before it gets too hot.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The sun is coming up! Another glorious day in the making!
The weather has been fantastic this past week. Low 90s. A touch of humidity. Summer is upon us here in the keys!
I play golf this morning. It will be hot! Perspiration big time. Good for the weight!
Yesterday was quiet. A walk. Played with the grandkids for a while.
Spent a couple of hours at Borders reading Barbara Walters' Audition. A winner! One of the reasons I am enjoying it is we are basically the same age. So I am reliving my life as I read about hers.
The 3 sex affairs play a very small part in the book. I don't know about in her life. They could have been left out.
Drinks and dinner at LaTrattoria last night. The town is dead. So too was the restaurant. A quiet meal and then home to bed for the West Virginia results. When is is this Democratic primary going to end? In spite of her huge victory last night, Clinton is doing more harm to her image than good. I am beginning to question what her judgment would be if she were President. She just does not want to give up and get out. Much like Bush and Iraq!
The weather has been fantastic this past week. Low 90s. A touch of humidity. Summer is upon us here in the keys!
I play golf this morning. It will be hot! Perspiration big time. Good for the weight!
Yesterday was quiet. A walk. Played with the grandkids for a while.
Spent a couple of hours at Borders reading Barbara Walters' Audition. A winner! One of the reasons I am enjoying it is we are basically the same age. So I am reliving my life as I read about hers.
The 3 sex affairs play a very small part in the book. I don't know about in her life. They could have been left out.
Drinks and dinner at LaTrattoria last night. The town is dead. So too was the restaurant. A quiet meal and then home to bed for the West Virginia results. When is is this Democratic primary going to end? In spite of her huge victory last night, Clinton is doing more harm to her image than good. I am beginning to question what her judgment would be if she were President. She just does not want to give up and get out. Much like Bush and Iraq!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sunday afternoon provided a warm and enjoyable experience.
The place was St. Paul Episcopal Church on Duval Street. St. Paul's is one of those huge old time churches where one of any faith can feel at home and close to God.
St. Paul's is a different type church. It seems to dance to a different tune. An appropriate description as you will soon understand. And fitting perhaps because St. Paul's is located in Key West.
Until recently, it was the best place to be at noon each weekday for one hour.
There is a large baby grand piano up front just outside the alter rail. It has always been there.
And at noon each day the church organist would play broadway tunes on the piano. Camelot, My Fair Lady and the like.
Wow!
Many the day on a walk in the heat of the mid day sun I would stop in at St. Paul's to cool off and also listen to the music. So did many others!
I found I was still in church and experienced the comfortable feeling that normally accompanies a church visit. Meditation would set in. Self-introspection. A few words were exchanged with the Almighty.
Mary Deasey sings in the choir at St. Paul's. Sunday afternoon at 4 she headlined a musical show from the alter rail. She was accompanied by several other leading Key West singers. Love songs, happy songs!
Larry Smith directed the entire performance. From the baby grand, of course. And he was his usual terrific professional self.
Many attended. People of all ages.
It was a wonderful time!
And as I thought Sunday afternoon and at those noon times when I would stop in, what a good use of God's house!
The place was St. Paul Episcopal Church on Duval Street. St. Paul's is one of those huge old time churches where one of any faith can feel at home and close to God.
St. Paul's is a different type church. It seems to dance to a different tune. An appropriate description as you will soon understand. And fitting perhaps because St. Paul's is located in Key West.
Until recently, it was the best place to be at noon each weekday for one hour.
There is a large baby grand piano up front just outside the alter rail. It has always been there.
And at noon each day the church organist would play broadway tunes on the piano. Camelot, My Fair Lady and the like.
Wow!
Many the day on a walk in the heat of the mid day sun I would stop in at St. Paul's to cool off and also listen to the music. So did many others!
I found I was still in church and experienced the comfortable feeling that normally accompanies a church visit. Meditation would set in. Self-introspection. A few words were exchanged with the Almighty.
Mary Deasey sings in the choir at St. Paul's. Sunday afternoon at 4 she headlined a musical show from the alter rail. She was accompanied by several other leading Key West singers. Love songs, happy songs!
Larry Smith directed the entire performance. From the baby grand, of course. And he was his usual terrific professional self.
Many attended. People of all ages.
It was a wonderful time!
And as I thought Sunday afternoon and at those noon times when I would stop in, what a good use of God's house!
Monday, May 12, 2008
The rape of the American public continues! The price of gasoline in Key West went up another $.10 a gallon last night. Two days ago I reported it had reached $4 a gallon. Yesterday it went to $4.10 a gallon!
Will it ever end? Will it ever go down!
I remember when my wife and I were young kids and courting. In the early 1950s. We had her Dad's car. It was running out of gas. Between the 2 of us, we had $.25. It bought 1 1/2 gallons of gas!
Oh, for the good old days!
I read an interesting column in yesterday's Sunday New York Post. It was written by a think tank oil expert out of Washington. Her thoughts on the cause of the problem are worth sharing.
She said the oil producing countries were punishing the United States by randomly raising oil prices for 2 reasons. Iraq and Israel. They were unhappy we were in Iraq. They disliked our support of Israel.
The writer appeared to have deep insight into the problem. She further advised that these same countries were buying up the stock of the major oil companies supplying the United Stattes. Shocking! In the end the Arabs, Venezualans and Russians will own Mobil, Shell and the like. And then what a number they will do on us!
Saudi Arabia is one of the culprits described. They are our "friends." We protect them militarily. Friends like them we do not need! Such duplicity!
When are we going to find our balls again as a Nation! We need the motivation the Texans had when they fought Mexico for independence. Remember the motto on their flag: "Don't Tread On Me!"
New and decisive leadership is required. Enough of Bush and Cheney. They took us down this path.
I hope Obama can do it. November is a long way off. And late January even further when he would take office. Between now and then the price of gas will further increase. We could be paying $5-6 a gallon by then.
And these oil producing nations will have been further enabled and empowered.
Wake up America! What could not be done militarily is being done economically. We are being led down the road of economic destruction. The end result is the same, whether by bomb or market. Look what Reagan was able to do to the Russian nation.
Get mad! Talk! Shout! Clamor! Complain! Eventually voices will be heard. And then our leadership will do whatever must be done! We can recover! We will recover! But we have to get mad first and let our elected officials know in no uncertain terms we want them to act!
Will it ever end? Will it ever go down!
I remember when my wife and I were young kids and courting. In the early 1950s. We had her Dad's car. It was running out of gas. Between the 2 of us, we had $.25. It bought 1 1/2 gallons of gas!
Oh, for the good old days!
I read an interesting column in yesterday's Sunday New York Post. It was written by a think tank oil expert out of Washington. Her thoughts on the cause of the problem are worth sharing.
She said the oil producing countries were punishing the United States by randomly raising oil prices for 2 reasons. Iraq and Israel. They were unhappy we were in Iraq. They disliked our support of Israel.
The writer appeared to have deep insight into the problem. She further advised that these same countries were buying up the stock of the major oil companies supplying the United Stattes. Shocking! In the end the Arabs, Venezualans and Russians will own Mobil, Shell and the like. And then what a number they will do on us!
Saudi Arabia is one of the culprits described. They are our "friends." We protect them militarily. Friends like them we do not need! Such duplicity!
When are we going to find our balls again as a Nation! We need the motivation the Texans had when they fought Mexico for independence. Remember the motto on their flag: "Don't Tread On Me!"
New and decisive leadership is required. Enough of Bush and Cheney. They took us down this path.
I hope Obama can do it. November is a long way off. And late January even further when he would take office. Between now and then the price of gas will further increase. We could be paying $5-6 a gallon by then.
And these oil producing nations will have been further enabled and empowered.
Wake up America! What could not be done militarily is being done economically. We are being led down the road of economic destruction. The end result is the same, whether by bomb or market. Look what Reagan was able to do to the Russian nation.
Get mad! Talk! Shout! Clamor! Complain! Eventually voices will be heard. And then our leadership will do whatever must be done! We can recover! We will recover! But we have to get mad first and let our elected officials know in no uncertain terms we want them to act!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
It has finally happened! The inevitable has occurred!
A gallon of regular gasoline costs $4 in Key West!
I cannot tell a lie. It is really $3.999. One/tenth of a penny short of $4. That is $4 to me and everyone else!
Where will it end? When?
We are being gouged!
If Bush and Cheney went to war in Iraq over oil, they screwed up that scenerio also.
We hear nothing concrete from our major presidential candidates on how to solve the problem. Hillary saves us a few dollars over the summer by suspending the federal tax. Obama says her cure is a band aid and panders to the American public. McCain seems non committal.
I remember when Kennedy was President. He said we would put a man on the moon within 10 years. We did!
A major feat!
If we could do that, why can't we solve the energy crisis? An alternative to oil must be found. Lets stop kissing ass and stand on our own two feet. We can never be truly strong again if our economy is dependant on the whims of foreign nations.
It is Sunday morning. Breakfast at Camille's with the grandkids!
It is also Mother's Day! Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, past and present!
Two mothers I think of often and miss terribly are my mother and grandmother. Both are long gone. However they are in my mind almost every day. A happy Mother's Day to them also!
A gallon of regular gasoline costs $4 in Key West!
I cannot tell a lie. It is really $3.999. One/tenth of a penny short of $4. That is $4 to me and everyone else!
Where will it end? When?
We are being gouged!
If Bush and Cheney went to war in Iraq over oil, they screwed up that scenerio also.
We hear nothing concrete from our major presidential candidates on how to solve the problem. Hillary saves us a few dollars over the summer by suspending the federal tax. Obama says her cure is a band aid and panders to the American public. McCain seems non committal.
I remember when Kennedy was President. He said we would put a man on the moon within 10 years. We did!
A major feat!
If we could do that, why can't we solve the energy crisis? An alternative to oil must be found. Lets stop kissing ass and stand on our own two feet. We can never be truly strong again if our economy is dependant on the whims of foreign nations.
It is Sunday morning. Breakfast at Camille's with the grandkids!
It is also Mother's Day! Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, past and present!
Two mothers I think of often and miss terribly are my mother and grandmother. Both are long gone. However they are in my mind almost every day. A happy Mother's Day to them also!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Where do I begin...
A few days ago I wrote with pride regarding my granddaughter Nicole who had been accepted at Hartwick College. Not the greatest of students, she had been wait listed at Hartwick. However she was determined to be accepted! She sought and obtained a personal interview. Thereafter she bombarded the admissions officer with e mails.
Her perseverance and determination were rewarded. She received an e mail 2 days ago that she had been accepted.
Yesterday Nicole received her formal letter of acceptance in the mail. Enclosed was also a notice of scholarship. Nicole has been awarded a $20,000 scholarship! Wow! The school was impressed with her diligence in the pursuit of admission. Again wow! And good girl, Nicky!!!
I played golf yesterday morning. These new high tech clubs help. Everyone should have the hybrid! And Yankee Jack has loaned me one of his big headed drivers. It takes time to get used to. However yesterday I started getting off the tee well. Especially on the back nine.
There is a new show in town. A burlesque show! Burlesque went out of vogue in my early youth. I did have the opportunity however to see a couple of burlesque shows while I was in college.
I attended college in New York City. Across the river in Newark, New Jersey was an old time burlesque theatre. We used to sometime drive over to catch a show. It was to see the ladies! They used to do an almost total strip, wave a few pasties and feathers and so it went! Ah, the perversions of youth! There were also singers and comedians and acrobats. But we were only there for the female art!
So I can claim minimal experience in the burlesque world!
I attended the new show upstairs at Kelly's last night. A winner! Go see it! A real bargain. Only $25.
It runs on Friday evenings at nine.
The show was not like old time burlesque as I remembered it. It was more of a spoof/mimic of the old. And oh so funny!
The cast is composed of Key West housewives, mothers and girl friends. Only one male. All amateurs. I think they are doing the show more for the fun of it rather than the money. Whatever, all were good and again I recommend the show to you.
The summer is upon us here in Key West. Yesterday the temperature was 92 degrees. Humidity is getting heavy. I have had to sleep with the air conditioning on the last 2 evenings. And I hear every one saying they are now sleeping with the air on.
I am looking out the window as I write. The water is calm. Like glass. The palm tree hangs motionless. No breeze.
It is going to be another hot one!
A few days ago I wrote with pride regarding my granddaughter Nicole who had been accepted at Hartwick College. Not the greatest of students, she had been wait listed at Hartwick. However she was determined to be accepted! She sought and obtained a personal interview. Thereafter she bombarded the admissions officer with e mails.
Her perseverance and determination were rewarded. She received an e mail 2 days ago that she had been accepted.
Yesterday Nicole received her formal letter of acceptance in the mail. Enclosed was also a notice of scholarship. Nicole has been awarded a $20,000 scholarship! Wow! The school was impressed with her diligence in the pursuit of admission. Again wow! And good girl, Nicky!!!
I played golf yesterday morning. These new high tech clubs help. Everyone should have the hybrid! And Yankee Jack has loaned me one of his big headed drivers. It takes time to get used to. However yesterday I started getting off the tee well. Especially on the back nine.
There is a new show in town. A burlesque show! Burlesque went out of vogue in my early youth. I did have the opportunity however to see a couple of burlesque shows while I was in college.
I attended college in New York City. Across the river in Newark, New Jersey was an old time burlesque theatre. We used to sometime drive over to catch a show. It was to see the ladies! They used to do an almost total strip, wave a few pasties and feathers and so it went! Ah, the perversions of youth! There were also singers and comedians and acrobats. But we were only there for the female art!
So I can claim minimal experience in the burlesque world!
I attended the new show upstairs at Kelly's last night. A winner! Go see it! A real bargain. Only $25.
It runs on Friday evenings at nine.
The show was not like old time burlesque as I remembered it. It was more of a spoof/mimic of the old. And oh so funny!
The cast is composed of Key West housewives, mothers and girl friends. Only one male. All amateurs. I think they are doing the show more for the fun of it rather than the money. Whatever, all were good and again I recommend the show to you.
The summer is upon us here in Key West. Yesterday the temperature was 92 degrees. Humidity is getting heavy. I have had to sleep with the air conditioning on the last 2 evenings. And I hear every one saying they are now sleeping with the air on.
I am looking out the window as I write. The water is calm. Like glass. The palm tree hangs motionless. No breeze.
It is going to be another hot one!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Woody died.
Robert "Woody" Warren.
Another star now flashes in the heavens!
Woody was a short thin man. Bespeclted. Conservative appearing. Soft spoken.
He could be found at 5 every evening sitting at the bar at Square One. A kind word for all. Everyone's friend.
Woody came out of Wall Street. He settled in Key West around 1981. His partner of many years died either before Woody came to Key West or soon thereafter. I never really found out.
Woody opted to remain a solitary figure thereafter. He always spoke glowingly of his partner.
Woody was also very kind to my daughter Lisa when she first came to Key West 10 years ago. He was one of a group who took her under their wing, so to speak. Interestingly most of those who first befriended Lisa were those who hung out at and frequented Square One.
Woody, you are so missed!
Robert "Woody" Warren.
Another star now flashes in the heavens!
Woody was a short thin man. Bespeclted. Conservative appearing. Soft spoken.
He could be found at 5 every evening sitting at the bar at Square One. A kind word for all. Everyone's friend.
Woody came out of Wall Street. He settled in Key West around 1981. His partner of many years died either before Woody came to Key West or soon thereafter. I never really found out.
Woody opted to remain a solitary figure thereafter. He always spoke glowingly of his partner.
Woody was also very kind to my daughter Lisa when she first came to Key West 10 years ago. He was one of a group who took her under their wing, so to speak. Interestingly most of those who first befriended Lisa were those who hung out at and frequented Square One.
Woody, you are so missed!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Beautiful morning!
Blue water, blue sky. From where I sit, I can look out the open window and see the top of a palm tree blowing in the wind as it cuts the water and sky. I may never leave this chair!
Catch up time. The trip to Boston caused me to miss a few items which need commenting.
First, bocci!
The season ended last Thursday. I missed it since I was in Boston. My team won 1 and lost 2. As a team, we finished tied for 8th place out of 14 teams. Not good considering we were tied for first at mid season with a 15-4 record. Can you imagine! We had won 15 games at that point! Generally all 3 in an evening.
Then came mid season and disaster. We only won 3 games in the second half of the season.
Why, I do not know. Nor does anyone else on the team. We went from good, no great, to bad! As with the Brooklyn Dodgers of old, wait till next year! Hopefully!
Restaurants seem to constantly change. By way of service, food and so forth. The restaurant remains, but its performance level fluctuates. Sometimes radically.
Pisces has been a favorite this past year. However the last 2 meals there have left much to desire. So much so that I question whether I will be eating there again for awhile.
Pisces is probably the most expensive restaurant on the island. Thus it has a high standard to meet. So so food does not pass. My last 2 entres were so so.
And even the decor could use a bit of touching up. Although remodeled several years ago, it is time again to do something. The place looks drab and worse has a drab feeling.
Last year Pisces opened a roof top area for dining. It was absolutely beautiful! Comforting also! A winner!
The roof top portion is never open any more. Me thinks the wait staff is too lazy to climb the stairs.
Attituide. The wait staff has always had an attitude at Pisces. It goes with the place. So generally accepted/tolerated. However when the food is going downhill, it is a bit too much to take!
And the silverware needs replacement! It really is worn!
Enough said about Pisces.
On the other hand, Antonia's is on a roll! Their food has never been better. Great! And half the price of Pisces!
My granddaughter Nicole graduates from high school June 14. Don't get confused. I have 11 grandchildren.
Nicole lives in Utica. I am very proud of her.
Nicky was already accepted at one college. However she wanted to go to Hartwick. Hartwick wait listed her.
She went to work to sell herself to Hartwick. She got a personal interview. She also dunned the admissions person with e mails frequently expressing her interest, what she could offer to the school and so forth.
Her efforts succeeded! She has been accepted to Hartwick!
I am thrilled for her. But proud more! She knew what she wanted and went after it. She will succeed in life!
Good girl, Nicole!
The 5 pounds I gained in Boston are gone. It is easy to lose once a person gets back to Key West and starts indulging Key West style. Little food and lots of booze! No, not really. But Key Westers do eat less. Maybe it is the heat. And fish is eaten twice a day.
Yesterday was a good golf day.
Last night was Bobby Nesbitt time at Kwest. Afterwards I had dinner at the bar at Antonia's with my friend Aaron.
Enjoy your day! I am going to enjoy mine!
Blue water, blue sky. From where I sit, I can look out the open window and see the top of a palm tree blowing in the wind as it cuts the water and sky. I may never leave this chair!
Catch up time. The trip to Boston caused me to miss a few items which need commenting.
First, bocci!
The season ended last Thursday. I missed it since I was in Boston. My team won 1 and lost 2. As a team, we finished tied for 8th place out of 14 teams. Not good considering we were tied for first at mid season with a 15-4 record. Can you imagine! We had won 15 games at that point! Generally all 3 in an evening.
Then came mid season and disaster. We only won 3 games in the second half of the season.
Why, I do not know. Nor does anyone else on the team. We went from good, no great, to bad! As with the Brooklyn Dodgers of old, wait till next year! Hopefully!
Restaurants seem to constantly change. By way of service, food and so forth. The restaurant remains, but its performance level fluctuates. Sometimes radically.
Pisces has been a favorite this past year. However the last 2 meals there have left much to desire. So much so that I question whether I will be eating there again for awhile.
Pisces is probably the most expensive restaurant on the island. Thus it has a high standard to meet. So so food does not pass. My last 2 entres were so so.
And even the decor could use a bit of touching up. Although remodeled several years ago, it is time again to do something. The place looks drab and worse has a drab feeling.
Last year Pisces opened a roof top area for dining. It was absolutely beautiful! Comforting also! A winner!
The roof top portion is never open any more. Me thinks the wait staff is too lazy to climb the stairs.
Attituide. The wait staff has always had an attitude at Pisces. It goes with the place. So generally accepted/tolerated. However when the food is going downhill, it is a bit too much to take!
And the silverware needs replacement! It really is worn!
Enough said about Pisces.
On the other hand, Antonia's is on a roll! Their food has never been better. Great! And half the price of Pisces!
My granddaughter Nicole graduates from high school June 14. Don't get confused. I have 11 grandchildren.
Nicole lives in Utica. I am very proud of her.
Nicky was already accepted at one college. However she wanted to go to Hartwick. Hartwick wait listed her.
She went to work to sell herself to Hartwick. She got a personal interview. She also dunned the admissions person with e mails frequently expressing her interest, what she could offer to the school and so forth.
Her efforts succeeded! She has been accepted to Hartwick!
I am thrilled for her. But proud more! She knew what she wanted and went after it. She will succeed in life!
Good girl, Nicole!
The 5 pounds I gained in Boston are gone. It is easy to lose once a person gets back to Key West and starts indulging Key West style. Little food and lots of booze! No, not really. But Key Westers do eat less. Maybe it is the heat. And fish is eaten twice a day.
Yesterday was a good golf day.
Last night was Bobby Nesbitt time at Kwest. Afterwards I had dinner at the bar at Antonia's with my friend Aaron.
Enjoy your day! I am going to enjoy mine!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
There is a story out of Miami Children's Hospital to be told.
My grandson Robert will be 4 May 15. A lucky young man. He was born with cancer of the liver.
Babies/humans are not born with cancer. It is an after birth acquisition and affliction. However it does happen. In less than .007 per cent of births. Medical science does not know why it occurs when it does.
Robert was 3 days old and in our Key West hospital. He did not look right. He was not functioning properly.
An x ray showed a mass in his abdomen. He was immediately helicoptered from the Key West hospital to Miami Children's Hospital. That is what that helicopter is for that sits outside our hospital. To take care of emergency cases. And when they move, they move!
Off Robert went! With medical staff. But no parents! Only the patient is allowed. The patient's age is immaterial. So my daughtert Lisa and her husband and I and my wife drove helter skelter to Miami.
When we arrived, a team of doctors were waiting. Robert had been examined and diagnosed. Immediate surgery was required.
Robert had 2 major surgeries over 4 days. On the 4th day of his life and on the 8th day of his life.
He had a cancer tumor attached to his liver. The tumor was 2 3/4 inches by 2 inches. Significantly larger than his baby liver!
The medical care, treatment and attention at Miami Children's was spectacular! The best!
After about 10 days, Robert was permitted to return home with his parents. My recollection is that Lisa never got to hold Robert till he was 5 days old.
Anyhow, since cancers at birth are so uncommon, Robert has become a medical case study. Miami Children's periodically sees him, examines him and makes sure he is A-OK. He will be so tested till his 18th birthday.
At first he was seen monthly. Then quarterly. Now every 6 months. The whole family packs up for a day trip to Miami. Now this even includes Robert's younger sister Ally.
Robert gets probed, pressed, x-rayed, blood drawn and all the other nice things that can be done to the body.
Yesterday was his first 6 month visit.
Miami Chrildren's Hospital is a gigantic operation. Like a college campus. Many buildings, thousands of visitors and an understandably huge medical staff.
Yesterday Robert was examined by Dr. Peskaru who was part of the original team that first operated on Robert. She told Lisa she saw his name on the day list and wanted to see him again after so long.
She examined him and told Lisa he continues to be in good health. Thank God!
And then the doctor shared a personal and private moment with Lisa. She told Lisa that they see about 150 of these cases a year. Very few make it. Robert was a success story. And that is why she wanted to see him again.
Lisa and the doctor shared a tearful moment together. My eyes are filled as I write this.
Life is sometimes good! God helps!
I am off to the golf course. I need it!
My grandson Robert will be 4 May 15. A lucky young man. He was born with cancer of the liver.
Babies/humans are not born with cancer. It is an after birth acquisition and affliction. However it does happen. In less than .007 per cent of births. Medical science does not know why it occurs when it does.
Robert was 3 days old and in our Key West hospital. He did not look right. He was not functioning properly.
An x ray showed a mass in his abdomen. He was immediately helicoptered from the Key West hospital to Miami Children's Hospital. That is what that helicopter is for that sits outside our hospital. To take care of emergency cases. And when they move, they move!
Off Robert went! With medical staff. But no parents! Only the patient is allowed. The patient's age is immaterial. So my daughtert Lisa and her husband and I and my wife drove helter skelter to Miami.
When we arrived, a team of doctors were waiting. Robert had been examined and diagnosed. Immediate surgery was required.
Robert had 2 major surgeries over 4 days. On the 4th day of his life and on the 8th day of his life.
He had a cancer tumor attached to his liver. The tumor was 2 3/4 inches by 2 inches. Significantly larger than his baby liver!
The medical care, treatment and attention at Miami Children's was spectacular! The best!
After about 10 days, Robert was permitted to return home with his parents. My recollection is that Lisa never got to hold Robert till he was 5 days old.
Anyhow, since cancers at birth are so uncommon, Robert has become a medical case study. Miami Children's periodically sees him, examines him and makes sure he is A-OK. He will be so tested till his 18th birthday.
At first he was seen monthly. Then quarterly. Now every 6 months. The whole family packs up for a day trip to Miami. Now this even includes Robert's younger sister Ally.
Robert gets probed, pressed, x-rayed, blood drawn and all the other nice things that can be done to the body.
Yesterday was his first 6 month visit.
Miami Chrildren's Hospital is a gigantic operation. Like a college campus. Many buildings, thousands of visitors and an understandably huge medical staff.
Yesterday Robert was examined by Dr. Peskaru who was part of the original team that first operated on Robert. She told Lisa she saw his name on the day list and wanted to see him again after so long.
She examined him and told Lisa he continues to be in good health. Thank God!
And then the doctor shared a personal and private moment with Lisa. She told Lisa that they see about 150 of these cases a year. Very few make it. Robert was a success story. And that is why she wanted to see him again.
Lisa and the doctor shared a tearful moment together. My eyes are filled as I write this.
Life is sometimes good! God helps!
I am off to the golf course. I need it!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
I was up early yesterday. The morning was magnificent! Sun shining. A few white clouds in the sky. The water calm.
I was anxious to get back into my routine. So it was off to Paradise Cafe for a breakfast of cuban coffee and cuban toast. And paper reading of course. Followed by a long walk along the waterfront.
Then the height of my morning. A visit to the grandkids!
I was missed! They both ran to me shouting Poppa! What a joy!
A little later I had lunch with daughter Lisa at the Beachfront Cafe. A pleasure to see her also. Her children are so wonderful because she is wonderful!
I watched my food, of course. Only soup for lunch.
Last night I intended to have dinner at the bar at La Trattoria and then go to Larry Smith's Jazz Night at the Pier House. However the trip must have caught up with me. I felt a bit under the weather so I spent the evening home in bed. And had nothing to eat. A benefit in disguise!
Enjoy your Tuesday!
I was anxious to get back into my routine. So it was off to Paradise Cafe for a breakfast of cuban coffee and cuban toast. And paper reading of course. Followed by a long walk along the waterfront.
Then the height of my morning. A visit to the grandkids!
I was missed! They both ran to me shouting Poppa! What a joy!
A little later I had lunch with daughter Lisa at the Beachfront Cafe. A pleasure to see her also. Her children are so wonderful because she is wonderful!
I watched my food, of course. Only soup for lunch.
Last night I intended to have dinner at the bar at La Trattoria and then go to Larry Smith's Jazz Night at the Pier House. However the trip must have caught up with me. I felt a bit under the weather so I spent the evening home in bed. And had nothing to eat. A benefit in disguise!
Enjoy your Tuesday!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Great to be back in Key West!
A beautiful morning!
The start of a wonderful day!
Boston is a great city! But still cold and damp this time of the year. 85 degrees is better than 45!
I had a pleasant experience yesterday.
For the past several years I have been flying Continental. My return flights yesterday were on American. How nice the American personnel were! Everyone smiles! All interested in helping with questions and problems.
In contrast with Continental where everyone appears dour and unhappy.
I had come to accept this cold non personal treatment. I assumed because of the economics of the airline industry, employees were being put upon and did not care about customers. Now with the American experience under my belt, my attitude is if one can do it, they all can. And should!
Last night I had a quiet dinner at the bar at Antonia's. Great fish! Mahi mahi! In the short time I was gone, I missed the taste of fresh fish. Especially when well prepared as it was last night at Antonia's.
My body has taken a 5 pound beating in 5 days! Too much of that good Italian cooking! I will be rid of it in 5 days. Going to start now with a 3 mile walk along the waterfront. Might make it 5 miles!
A beautiful morning!
The start of a wonderful day!
Boston is a great city! But still cold and damp this time of the year. 85 degrees is better than 45!
I had a pleasant experience yesterday.
For the past several years I have been flying Continental. My return flights yesterday were on American. How nice the American personnel were! Everyone smiles! All interested in helping with questions and problems.
In contrast with Continental where everyone appears dour and unhappy.
I had come to accept this cold non personal treatment. I assumed because of the economics of the airline industry, employees were being put upon and did not care about customers. Now with the American experience under my belt, my attitude is if one can do it, they all can. And should!
Last night I had a quiet dinner at the bar at Antonia's. Great fish! Mahi mahi! In the short time I was gone, I missed the taste of fresh fish. Especially when well prepared as it was last night at Antonia's.
My body has taken a 5 pound beating in 5 days! Too much of that good Italian cooking! I will be rid of it in 5 days. Going to start now with a 3 mile walk along the waterfront. Might make it 5 miles!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Sunday morning!
I leave for the airport in less than 3 hours to return to Key West. It is time!
Wonderful day yesterday. Confirmation party for Samantha in the afternoon. Family and close friends.
First, some errands to run to get last minute things for the party. My daughter Beth took me to the super market to help. What a great place! It is one of those new ones we only read about in Key West.
Huge aisles! Extremely wide.
Food wise, the preprepared foods seem to be the most obvious change. By preprepared I mean where you can buy your meal all prepared, go home, throw it in the micro and enjoy. Fancy stuff. The operation took up lot of space. Must be very few people cook any more.
The party was terrific! A winner! Beth and her husband Mark had planned it well. They also spent 2 days getting ready for it. They did it all themselves. Rather than catering the party, they find doing the cooking and prep fun and so do it that way.
It was a great Italian meal! Could not have been better!
I ate non stop for 6 hours. I have not eaten that much food at one time in years. Everything was so tasty, I did not want to stop.
So much for watching my weight!
Time to pack for the return trip. Talk to you from Key West tomorrow.
I leave for the airport in less than 3 hours to return to Key West. It is time!
Wonderful day yesterday. Confirmation party for Samantha in the afternoon. Family and close friends.
First, some errands to run to get last minute things for the party. My daughter Beth took me to the super market to help. What a great place! It is one of those new ones we only read about in Key West.
Huge aisles! Extremely wide.
Food wise, the preprepared foods seem to be the most obvious change. By preprepared I mean where you can buy your meal all prepared, go home, throw it in the micro and enjoy. Fancy stuff. The operation took up lot of space. Must be very few people cook any more.
The party was terrific! A winner! Beth and her husband Mark had planned it well. They also spent 2 days getting ready for it. They did it all themselves. Rather than catering the party, they find doing the cooking and prep fun and so do it that way.
It was a great Italian meal! Could not have been better!
I ate non stop for 6 hours. I have not eaten that much food at one time in years. Everything was so tasty, I did not want to stop.
So much for watching my weight!
Time to pack for the return trip. Talk to you from Key West tomorrow.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Good morning world!
Cold and rainy here in Massachusetts.
Yesterday was shopping day. Except I did not buy anything!
I spent 3 hours in the Newbury Street area.
I was searching for some new bright colored sport shirts. Found nothing that appealed to me. So I bought nothing.
I was disappointed in Brooks Brothers. Too small. Not enough of a selection. Nothing like the Brooks' stores in New York City.
As usual, Louis turned me on. Love their clothes! Except you have to be a male Twiggy to fit in them. And that I am not!
Louis now has a restaurant in the back corner on the first floor. Small and intimate. I would have tried it, but it was too early for lunch.
Women's apparel shops rate a 10! Some great female clothing out there! If I had a woman with me, I would have bought her a few pieces.
I had to wait 3 hours for my daughter to pick me up. Three hours is a long time to walk around. Especially in the bitter cold. The wind was biting. I was dressed for it. In layers. Leather jacket, sweater, shirt, jeans and boots.
I figured I would buy a paper and sit in a hotel lobby reading for awhile to rest up and wait for my daughter. Good luck!
Try to find a newspaper in the Newbury area! Next to impossible!
I stopped in several hotels. Large and small. None have a paer/cigarette stand. The stand is gone. I have outlived the amenity.
There are no street vendors selling papers.
Finally I found a drug store on Boylston that sold newspapers. A victory! Or sort of.
I wanted a New York Post. They had it. Now where to sit to read. As I walked out of the drug store, what do you think was on the next corner? Borders! My home for reading in Key West.
The Boston Borders on Boylston is big! Several floors.
I needed one of their small comfortable black easy chairs to collapse in and read my paper. I found one on the first floor right in front of one of the huge picture windows.
I rapidly captured it.
There was a chair opposite me also. Already occupied. By a homeless bag woman. Slumped over asleep in her chair with her cart and belongings in front of her. Big City living.
I started to read the paper. Newspaper reading is a favorite thing with me. Something looked awfully familiar with the paper. It suddenly dawned on me! I had purchased yesterday's paper! Sometimes I can't win!
So I did what I do in the Key West Borders. I grabbed one of their books and read free for an hour till my daughter called.
Last night was quiet. We stayed in. Watched old movies on TV.
One of them was Ghost. Patrick Swazey, Demi Moore and Whoopie Goldberg. Still a tear jerker. A good movie! Sad that Swazey is now fighting pancreatic cancer. Made the movie a bit more edgy to watch.
Party time this afternoon. The Confirmation celebration continues.
Tomorrow I return to Key West.
Cold and rainy here in Massachusetts.
Yesterday was shopping day. Except I did not buy anything!
I spent 3 hours in the Newbury Street area.
I was searching for some new bright colored sport shirts. Found nothing that appealed to me. So I bought nothing.
I was disappointed in Brooks Brothers. Too small. Not enough of a selection. Nothing like the Brooks' stores in New York City.
As usual, Louis turned me on. Love their clothes! Except you have to be a male Twiggy to fit in them. And that I am not!
Louis now has a restaurant in the back corner on the first floor. Small and intimate. I would have tried it, but it was too early for lunch.
Women's apparel shops rate a 10! Some great female clothing out there! If I had a woman with me, I would have bought her a few pieces.
I had to wait 3 hours for my daughter to pick me up. Three hours is a long time to walk around. Especially in the bitter cold. The wind was biting. I was dressed for it. In layers. Leather jacket, sweater, shirt, jeans and boots.
I figured I would buy a paper and sit in a hotel lobby reading for awhile to rest up and wait for my daughter. Good luck!
Try to find a newspaper in the Newbury area! Next to impossible!
I stopped in several hotels. Large and small. None have a paer/cigarette stand. The stand is gone. I have outlived the amenity.
There are no street vendors selling papers.
Finally I found a drug store on Boylston that sold newspapers. A victory! Or sort of.
I wanted a New York Post. They had it. Now where to sit to read. As I walked out of the drug store, what do you think was on the next corner? Borders! My home for reading in Key West.
The Boston Borders on Boylston is big! Several floors.
I needed one of their small comfortable black easy chairs to collapse in and read my paper. I found one on the first floor right in front of one of the huge picture windows.
I rapidly captured it.
There was a chair opposite me also. Already occupied. By a homeless bag woman. Slumped over asleep in her chair with her cart and belongings in front of her. Big City living.
I started to read the paper. Newspaper reading is a favorite thing with me. Something looked awfully familiar with the paper. It suddenly dawned on me! I had purchased yesterday's paper! Sometimes I can't win!
So I did what I do in the Key West Borders. I grabbed one of their books and read free for an hour till my daughter called.
Last night was quiet. We stayed in. Watched old movies on TV.
One of them was Ghost. Patrick Swazey, Demi Moore and Whoopie Goldberg. Still a tear jerker. A good movie! Sad that Swazey is now fighting pancreatic cancer. Made the movie a bit more edgy to watch.
Party time this afternoon. The Confirmation celebration continues.
Tomorrow I return to Key West.
Friday, May 2, 2008
A nice day yesterday! An interesting one as well!
Started with my shower.
I used my daughter/granddaughter's shower. My son in law is smart. He has his own separate shower. I was not as smart. I should have used his. For some reason, I did not.
The first thing I noticed when I stepped into the shower was no soap. Just jars and tubes of stuff all over. I can't see without my glasses. However it was easy to figure things out. Some contained soap. Others shampoo. What else!
There was this sort of large jar of white stuff. Obviously soap. Only as I attempted to lather my body, I noticed no lather. Must be new stuff! So I continued washing with it. The shampoo was a bit thick, but had the right smell. So I washed my hair with it.
Afterwards at breakfast I mentioned my product dilema in the shower with the family. Every one laughed. That white stuff in the large bottle was not soap! It was some special goo for my granddaughter's face. She apparently has a rash problem which is not apparent. The shampoo was conditioner!
I was lucky all my body hair did not fall off!
My son in law then told me that is why he has a separate bathroom. Too much female gook all over the place!
I am carless here. The kids work and take the cars. So I decided to take a walk into the heart of Wellesly.
About 2 miles.
All downhill going in. A long steep hill. I never gave any thought to the return trip. It was a stress test returning! There were momnets I questioned whether I would make it!
Stopped for coffee at Dunkin Donuts in town. A gold mine! What impressed me even more was the number of pregnant women! Every other female that came in during the hour I sat there reading the papers was with child. Something in the air! No, not really. Just reflective of the population in the area. Young people. Yuppie types. Family building. Living the afluent conservative life. And making babies is part of it. Like a chicken in every pot, 2 cars in every garage and 3.4 children in every house!
Last night was Confirmation!
My granddaughter was lovely in her long red gown with 2 dramatic vertical fire engine red stripes. She is the flower bud just before it opens! A beautiful women waiting to emerge!
Confirmation is a big deal in the Catholic rite. It means you are ready to set your life down for Christ. Sort of like the martyrs of old who were eaten by the lions.
Only a Bishop can perform the ceremony. So the Bishop came in from Boston.
Bishop's are a big deal! Like governors. And they generally conduct themselves in a similar fashion. Always a smile, always a glad hand, always a kind word, always a sense of humor.
Not this Bishop last night! He must have been an accountant in his former life. He never cracked a smile! He was not the warm hearted leader of the flock as I was accustomed to. His words were cold. Sterile would be better. And he never looked the congregation in the eye as he walked down the aisle.
I am permitted to be critical. I know that of which I speak. I am a product of a Catholic grammar school, high school and college. I was even an alter boy during those times. I really was! So I know of and came into contact with several bishops.
The one last night will never make Pope!
Then home to my daughter's for coffee and cake. A bigger party is planned for Saturday. It was too late after the ceremony to do one last night.
My daughter has business in downtown Boston today. So I am riding in with her. Going to do Back Bay and Newbury Street.
Started with my shower.
I used my daughter/granddaughter's shower. My son in law is smart. He has his own separate shower. I was not as smart. I should have used his. For some reason, I did not.
The first thing I noticed when I stepped into the shower was no soap. Just jars and tubes of stuff all over. I can't see without my glasses. However it was easy to figure things out. Some contained soap. Others shampoo. What else!
There was this sort of large jar of white stuff. Obviously soap. Only as I attempted to lather my body, I noticed no lather. Must be new stuff! So I continued washing with it. The shampoo was a bit thick, but had the right smell. So I washed my hair with it.
Afterwards at breakfast I mentioned my product dilema in the shower with the family. Every one laughed. That white stuff in the large bottle was not soap! It was some special goo for my granddaughter's face. She apparently has a rash problem which is not apparent. The shampoo was conditioner!
I was lucky all my body hair did not fall off!
My son in law then told me that is why he has a separate bathroom. Too much female gook all over the place!
I am carless here. The kids work and take the cars. So I decided to take a walk into the heart of Wellesly.
About 2 miles.
All downhill going in. A long steep hill. I never gave any thought to the return trip. It was a stress test returning! There were momnets I questioned whether I would make it!
Stopped for coffee at Dunkin Donuts in town. A gold mine! What impressed me even more was the number of pregnant women! Every other female that came in during the hour I sat there reading the papers was with child. Something in the air! No, not really. Just reflective of the population in the area. Young people. Yuppie types. Family building. Living the afluent conservative life. And making babies is part of it. Like a chicken in every pot, 2 cars in every garage and 3.4 children in every house!
Last night was Confirmation!
My granddaughter was lovely in her long red gown with 2 dramatic vertical fire engine red stripes. She is the flower bud just before it opens! A beautiful women waiting to emerge!
Confirmation is a big deal in the Catholic rite. It means you are ready to set your life down for Christ. Sort of like the martyrs of old who were eaten by the lions.
Only a Bishop can perform the ceremony. So the Bishop came in from Boston.
Bishop's are a big deal! Like governors. And they generally conduct themselves in a similar fashion. Always a smile, always a glad hand, always a kind word, always a sense of humor.
Not this Bishop last night! He must have been an accountant in his former life. He never cracked a smile! He was not the warm hearted leader of the flock as I was accustomed to. His words were cold. Sterile would be better. And he never looked the congregation in the eye as he walked down the aisle.
I am permitted to be critical. I know that of which I speak. I am a product of a Catholic grammar school, high school and college. I was even an alter boy during those times. I really was! So I know of and came into contact with several bishops.
The one last night will never make Pope!
Then home to my daughter's for coffee and cake. A bigger party is planned for Saturday. It was too late after the ceremony to do one last night.
My daughter has business in downtown Boston today. So I am riding in with her. Going to do Back Bay and Newbury Street.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
What a difference a day makes!
It is 27 degrees here in the Boston area. Cold! A far cry from the low 80s I left yesterday in Key West.
The high here today will be 55. Ugh!
The plane trip was uneventful. The planes were on time. Packed as usual.
It never ceases to amaze me. Once I hit the north country in the cold months, people start to look weathered and worn! I flew through Cleveland. It started there. The winter takes its toll and shows its toll! We need sun and sun tans to make us vibrant looking.
My granddaughter Samantha is 16. Besides being beautiful, intelligent and all kind of great things, she is an ice skater. Has been skating since she was 6. Ten years! Thousands of hours of practice and thousands of dollars of lessons!
And it is evident!
She is good! Not just grandfatherly good! Good in her own right!
I watched her practice last night. Rather watched her take a lesson from her coach. At the Babson College ice rink. Indoors. Cold? Freezing!!! That cold! I sat shivering in my leather jacket.
It has been 3 years since I saw Samantha perform. What improvement! So graceful! So smooth! So beautiful!
It brought tears to my eyes. For several minutes. And then I realized how cold it was. I actually thought for an instant my eyeballs would freeze! So much for the tearing.
Smanatha's most recent competition was a staewide one. She won a medal in all 4 of the competitions she participated in. One gold and 3 bronzes. She is good!
Tonight Confirmation. How I will spend my day I do not know. I am without a car. Isolated in Wellesley!
It is 27 degrees here in the Boston area. Cold! A far cry from the low 80s I left yesterday in Key West.
The high here today will be 55. Ugh!
The plane trip was uneventful. The planes were on time. Packed as usual.
It never ceases to amaze me. Once I hit the north country in the cold months, people start to look weathered and worn! I flew through Cleveland. It started there. The winter takes its toll and shows its toll! We need sun and sun tans to make us vibrant looking.
My granddaughter Samantha is 16. Besides being beautiful, intelligent and all kind of great things, she is an ice skater. Has been skating since she was 6. Ten years! Thousands of hours of practice and thousands of dollars of lessons!
And it is evident!
She is good! Not just grandfatherly good! Good in her own right!
I watched her practice last night. Rather watched her take a lesson from her coach. At the Babson College ice rink. Indoors. Cold? Freezing!!! That cold! I sat shivering in my leather jacket.
It has been 3 years since I saw Samantha perform. What improvement! So graceful! So smooth! So beautiful!
It brought tears to my eyes. For several minutes. And then I realized how cold it was. I actually thought for an instant my eyeballs would freeze! So much for the tearing.
Smanatha's most recent competition was a staewide one. She won a medal in all 4 of the competitions she participated in. One gold and 3 bronzes. She is good!
Tonight Confirmation. How I will spend my day I do not know. I am without a car. Isolated in Wellesley!
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