I was wondering why I could not sleep a couple of nights ago. I blamed it on the diet. Specifically that my alcohol consumption had dropped to zero. However 14 of you wrote back and corrected that assumption.

I advised that on the diet I had consumed 2 cups of regular coffee and 2 diet Pepsis. All within 2 hours of going to bed.

The 14 told me why I could not sleep. It was obvious! It was the caffeine that kept me awake!

Last night I skipped the diet soda and had only 1 cup of coffeee, decaffinated. And I slept like a baby!

We live and learn!

Yesterday was Sunday and breakfast at Camille's. With Lisa, Cory and the grandchildren. Fun! With this diet, I have become a cheap date. Had only 1 cup of coffee!

It was humid. However I needed to walk. Walked from the Atlantic to the Gulf and back. I was soaking wet when I finished.

I spent the rest of the day hanging out at home. A nap or two, some sun, some reading, watched golf on TV. Lisa came over with the grandchildren to swim. Always fun! Always interesting!

This deepening recession is being felt in several ways here in Key West.

The town is normally dead in the summer. However the past several weekends have been terrific. People from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and other Florida points north are driving in for the the weekend. It appears people are taking shorter/closer vacations.

A friend of mine owns a popular local bar. Local is the key word. It is a locals hangout. Very few, if any, tourists. Serves only alcohol. He tells me his gross is down $600 a day. A lot of money! He blames it on the lack of construction in the area. Many of his customers are carpenters. They are not working. Ergo, drinking less. At least outside the home.

A small condo, 1 bed 1 bath, went on sale in Old Town for $158,000. It sold for $114,000. Four years ago that same property would have brought in excess of $400,000!

I lost another pound. Four pounds in 3 days. Sixteen to go!

Sunday! A wonderful day!

The first thing this morning was stepping on the scale. I have completed 2 days of my diet. I lost 1 pound. That makes for a total of 3. Seventeen pounds to go!

Yesterday started with a long bike ride around the island. It was humid and windy, so a bit difficult.

Spent the rest of the day home. Payed bills and read.

Decided to go out last night. Showered and shaved and all that sort of thing.

Started with the bar at La Trattoria. No food. Only liquids. Erin was great as she served me. One water, 1 diet Pepsi and 2 cups of coffee! It also gave me the opportunity to visit with people.

Then to La Te Da to listen to Debra and Patrick. And chat with friends. Ordered 1 diet Pepsi, which I did not finish.

Then home to bed.

I slept poorly last night. Not sure why. Could be withdrawal. Besides consuming food, I enjoy drinking. Not that much, but every day. Cutting alcohol off abruptly probably disrupts sleep for a while.

I heard from Anna again. I beleive I have mentioned her in the past. She lives in Venice.

Anna reported she just completed a month's vacation in Greece. Visited Tinos, Mikonos and the Santorini Islands. One day while there, she found a small quiet cove and beach. Desolate. No one else around.

She advises she sun bath topless. I love these Europeans! Especially Anna who is in her mid 60s!

While enjoying the sun and solitude, a large yacht pulled into the cove. Soon a small boatload of people joined her on the beach.

It was Elton John and a group of friends. She partied with them all afternoon.

Anna is now back in Venice visiting her elderly mother. Then she is off to Germany for a granddaughter's confirmation. Following which she is returning to the Greek Isles for a few more weeks.

Anna lives well! Bless her! God has!

Sunday means breakfast with the grandkids. At Camille's. Only this morning my breakfast will be limited to a glass of water and cup of coffee!

Day 3 of the diet is upon me.

Every journey starts with a first step.

Yesterday was day 1 of my diet.

I weighed myself upon rising this morning. Lost 2 pounds! A start!

I also exercised yesterday. Swam a whole hour in the pool. Oh, what a good boy am I! May this enthusiasm continue for another 18 pounds!

Overall a quiet day yesterday. Hung around the house. Did some paper work. Lisa and the grandkids showed up to swim in the afternoon. Such a joy to have them around!

Bars and restaurants are not part of the diet regime. They are near occasions of sin. And must be avoided!

So I went to the movies last night. No popcorn. Just Diet Pepsi. Saw the Get Smart movie. Good! Funny!

Kathleen Peace was singing with Larry Smith at the Pier House last night. I wanted to hear her. Love Kathleen and her voice! However I feared I was not strong enough to handle the bar scene. So I did not go! Home to bed immediately after the movie was out!

Boring.

Where do I begin.....

Chickens continue to be in the local news.

Two years ago the city fathers decided to hire a chicken catcher to capture the many chickens running around town. After capture, he was to transport them to a chicken farm in northern Florida. Apparently chickens are some sort of endangered species and cannot be destroyed willy nilly. Only by human plan for consumption purposes. Quite frankly, I doubt anyone would want to eat the Key West chickens.

Anyhow, the chicken catcher was to be paid $20 per chicken. Taking into account the time factor in the capture and the transportation costs, I question whether it was a great deal financially.

He caught about 2,000 and shipped them out.Then he quit. Said the natives were so enamoured with the chickens, they made his job difficult. Protecting the chickens and the like. He claimed he would set traps and cages, and the local citizens would set the chickens free after capture.Typical Key West!

At the time the chicken catcher started, it was estimated there were 4,000 chickens. That left 2,000 when he resigned.

There was an article in the local newspaper this week that the chickens were a problem again! I did not need the paper to tell me! They are all over the place!

The news article was informative. A hen's gestation period is 26 days. And she delivers 10-12 eggs. Now I know why there are so many eggs and chicken wings available for sale! And why Key West has well over 4,000 chickens running around its streets. Maybe it will become like Planet of the Apes and the chickens will some day take over!

I begin my diet today. Nutrisystem. Where, by the way, I will be consuming 2 hardboiled eggs a day!

I did the diet last year. Lost 50 pounds in 4 months. Twenty of it has been gained back. I want to get rid of those 20 pounds before it gets worse. So I ordered Nutrisystem again. The food came in yesterday. I start today.

I anticipate I can lose the 20 pounds in 5 weeks. Based on last year's experience, I should lose 8 pounds the first week and then a steady 3 pounds every week there after.

Five weeks brings me to August 1st. I start the diet at 226. Lets see what happens. How often will I weaken? Will I succeed or fail?

Last night was my last supper! Ate at Michael's Restaurant. Thought I would pig out! However my normal self preservation and reservation prevailed. I only had 2 drinks. Did have an appetizer. Scallops with brie. Then hogfish for my entre.

Hogfish is a the best of local fishes. Absolutely delicious. Expensive. And bears a very common name for the king of Key West fishes!

My day yesterday started with a Key West Symphony board meeting. At the Westin's Bistro at noon.

I was there. No one else was. The table was set up for the meeting. The staff said a meeting was scheduled. But no one was there but me.

I called several other board members. No one was home available. Only answering machines.
So after waiting a half hour, I decided the meeting had been cancelled and someone had failed to convey the cancellation to me. Such respect!

Actually the time was not wasted. I am rarely in the area of the Westin by day. So I walked around. A cruise ship had just come in. It was interesting to see all the day time activity around the Hotel and nearby museums.

I have a new cell phone. An experience learning it! I am from the generation that is not mechanically inclined. I frustrate easily. And the instruction book is too confusing for me. However I am getting there. I spent the afternoon playing with the phone and entering numbers into it.

The Democratic primary was exciting! The general election is not as yet. I am finding it boring. Not good for a political junkie! At some point it should heat up like the primary. I hope so!

Time to go downstairs and start my Nutrisystem diet. Day 1! Thirty four to go!

I had a good time playing golf yesterday!

Except for the heat! The humidity was overwhelming! There was a strong hot breeze!

I played well till the heat got to me.

It tired me out on the back nine.

I played with Larry smith and Yankee Jack. Two good guys! It was a fun round.

We played a money game. It all came down to the last hole. We were tied up to that point.

Larry won. Yankee and I lost. Cost me $5. It was worth it to play with these 2 guys!

I spent the afternoon in bed in my air conditioned bedroom. Under the covers!

I am going on a diet soon. I am waiting for my shipment of Nutrisystem foods.

You will recall that last year I lost 50 pounds on the diet. Twenty have been gained back. Time to get serious again!

My mentality is such that I prepare for a diet. It is a form of training. I eat a bit more!

Last night it was a few drinks and dinner at Alice's restaurant. A fantastic tuna roll appetizer. And then her famous crispy duck!

It was 9:30 when I went to bed. The beating I took playing golf had finally taken its toll!

Had lunch with Victoria McFadyen yesterday.

Victoria is a Key West attorney. Competent and respected. Gracefully charming. A real winner!

Afterwards I decided to be nice to Louis. So I opted for the pleasure of a pedicure.

It's a tough life!

Hot yesterday. Lisa and the grandkids came over around 5 to swim. I joined them in the pool. The water was warm. Like bath water.

Robert hit me in the head with a noodle. It hurt! It was learning time for Robert!

Last night it was La Trattoria for dinner.

Beeca is back. Good! She had been to Georgia for a week visiting family.

Erin was her usual brilliant self bartending and serving. Bartenders such as Erin are attractions. They are personalities. Stars in their own right. Customers are attracted to a particular bar/restaurant to visit with persons such as Erin.

Then early to bed. And yes, I did sleep! All night!

Golf this morning. The sky is overcast. Intermittent showers predicted. Hope we get 18 holes in without getting drenched!

Busy day yesterday.

Worked much of the day.

Part of my labors involved purchasing a new cell phone. What an ordeal! Took over 2 hours!

I wanted the new I phone. Was told it cannot be purchased till July 11. So I opted to buy a cheapie till then. $39 and it does everything! Fortunately the salesperson set the phone up for me. The e mail wouldn't hook up with Yahoo. Three different phones were tried. Can you picture me at home with the instruction book doing it and having no success!

It turned out the whole batch of that cheapie model were defective. So I had to upgrade to $59 to get a working model. Still a good deal!

Last night I had dinner at Tavern 'N Town at the relatively new Beachside Resort.

I had been there for drinks in the past. Never dinner.

First, the place is absolutely beautiful! New York/Chicago atmosphere in Key West.

And the food was equally great!

I highly recomend Tavern 'N Town to everyone! A dining experience!

The hostess was a young Ukranian lady. Twenty years old. She is here for 3 months as a working intern. She also was in Key West a year ago for a brief period.

She is studying in the Ukraine to be a dentist. She is in her fourth year of university. Has 1 more year to go and then a 1 year intern as a dentist. All toll, it takes 6 years to become a dentist in the Ukraine. She was young, but university study starts at 16 in her country.

I asked her if dentists made money in the Ukraine. She exhuberently stated Yes! Then I told her about my cap which recently had to be replaced and which cost $1200. She was shocked. One cap she asked! Surprise covered her face! Turns out dentistry does not pay that well in the Ukraine.

She is firm in wanting to live her life in the Ukraine. I doubt the money factor will influence her in any way.

It was nice meeting and chatting with her. Bright, cheerful and ready to take on the world!

I was tired from my "work day" yesterday so I returned home to bed immediately after dinner. Around 9:30. For some reason I woke at 3 am. Just as the Michael Keaton/Kim Basenger/ Jack Nicholson Batman movie started on TV. I had never seen it. I got hooked. So my tired body never got back to sleep.

It is going to be a tough day!

Sundays are a pattern. A good one!

First, breakfast at Camille's with the grandkids.Then to the coffee house to sit on the front porch and read the New York papers.

Later pool time with Lisa and the grandchildren. An event!

Lisa forgot to bring a change of clothes for Robert. He came in his bathing trunks. Robert just turned 4. So I gave him my smallest tee shirt. We lost him in it! He reminded me of one of the seven dwarfs!

Last night I had dinner at the bar at La Trattoria. No Becca. I was disappointed. Spoke with Kathy the bartender. She is originally from Albany. Our chatter involved a comparison of upstate New York and the keys. Obviouly the keys won!

After dinner I needed a Larry Smith fix. So it was off to the Pier House for his Sunday Night Showcase. As usual, good music! All orchestrated by Larry.

Key West is jumping. I am surprised. Apparently there is a second season. The summer season! The streets are crowding up, as well as the restaurants. And everything is cheaper! That is probably why there is a second season this year.

Enjoy!

It is a lovely Sunday morning in Key West!

Sun bright, sky blue, water moving and a cool early morning breeze in the air. Going to be another great day in Key West!

Several weeks ago I wrote concerning the death of a friend. Bob "Woody" Warren. Yesterday Woody's Key West friends celebrated his life. Some of his family came to Key West to join in the occasion.

Woody's remembrance started with a 2 o'clock church service at the Metropolitan Community Church of Key West.

The Church was packed! Standing room only! To be expected as far as Woody was concerned. He was respected and loved.

It was my first attendance at a service at the Metropoitan Community Church. It represents itself as the religious home for gay parishioners, though all are welcome. I was impressed with the service and the ministers. All very moving and insightful. I held hands, sang and prayed. And shed an occasional tear as Woody was remembered.

It is only after death that we sometimes learn interesting things about people. The little things that go unnoticed in life.

One of the ministers pointed out that every Saturday, Woody was in the Church hall packaging meals for the elderly and homeless. Every Saturday for years!

There were two other functions scheduled following the Chruch service. Unfortunately I could not attend.

At 4 there was a party at Square One Restaurant. Square One was Woody's favorite haunt. He could be found every evening at cocktail time at the bar. With a warm greeting and kind word for all!

Then at 6 was the event of the day! With a number of friends in attendance, Woody's ashes were strewn into the Atlantic Ocean from the White Street Pier. A fitting place for such a memorable event! A fitting place to recive Woody's remains! Woody is now part of a greater scenerio not only in Heaven, but also here on earth. As I look out my window at the water this morning, I have a sense of his presence.

Woody touched a lot of hearts. Woody, we all loved you!

Last night I went to dinner with my friend Donna Barnett. We went to Martin's. A great meal!

We wanted to sit outside. However it was a bit muggy and there was no breeze. The lack of a breeze means those tiny bothersome bugs called no-see-me's were out and biting. So we opted to move inside to no bugs and air conditioning.

It was a long dinner. We talked much. It had been a while since we had seen each other.

Then to La Te Da for a drink. Only one drink. We both were tired.

However we said .....why not one more! And so we stopped at Square One for a last drink. It was not late. Around 10. However Patty Cakes was locking up Square One, so it turned out to be a quick drink, talk about Woody and we were off!

I almost forgot! Donna won an award! A big deal one!

Donna works at the Days Inn. In guest services. The lodging association presented her with the Florida Keys Human Resource Excellence in Service Award. A mouthful!

The award covers all of the keys. From Key Largo to Key West. Some150 miles. And my Donna, our Donna, was the sole recipient. The winner from all those employees in all of the hundreds of hotels/motels which make up the keys.

Good job Donna! Congratulations!

Today is Sunday. Sunday is breakfast with Lisa and the grandkids at Cazmille's. I love it!

A quiet day yesterday.

Slept late. Did paperwork in the afternoon. A meeting at 4.

Dinner at Outback. I really mix it up!

Then to the movies.

Zohan with Adam Sandler.

One of the worst movies I have ever seen! I went for comedy and light fare. Instead I was bored. The movie never came together. It was flat throughout.

Today will be more active.

Yesterday was like a house keeping day. Though my activities did not include actually scrubbing, dusting and that sort of thing!

It started with an early morning appointment with the dentist. Finally got my new cap placed in. My expensive mouth is complete again.

Think of how much gasoline one cap could buy!

I left my newly washed shinny car under a tree while in the dentist's office. It rained big time while I was in the chair. And then the rain was gone and the sun shone bright. That is the way it rains in Key West.

But it was not an ordinary rain for my car. It was a mess!

I do not know the type of tree, but I had huge yellow spots all over my formerly sparkling vehicle. Maybe they were the earlier black spots which I wrote about a few weeks ago in disguise!

Then to the coffee house on Duval to read the New York papers. The Times and Post. All sold out! Just my luck! So I was relegated to the Key West Citizen, interesting in itself.

Lunch at home. I wanted to try out my new tooth in privacy. Everything OK!

It continued to be an appointment day.

In the afternoon I was scheduled for a haircut with Lori. Always a pleasure to see her! She does a great hair!

For those of you who have never seen me in the flesh, the last statement is humorous in and of itself. I sit in the chair. The electric clipper is put on #2. And run over my head! Voila the haircut!

The humidity was heavy by mid afternoon. I decided I needed something cool to drink. So it was back to the coffee house for an iced chocolate mocha. Oh, so delicious!

The humidity also tired me out. Back home for a 2 hour nap on cool sheets. Nothing like it!

Some friends wanted to eat at the Marquesa Restaurant last night. I was reluctant. I had not eaten there in 10 years. The food was good. The atmosphere terrific. But the staff had an attitude problem. My argument was with their reservation system. I would call and tell them I wanted an 8 o'clock reservation. I was always told I could only be seated at 6:30 or 9:30. What bullshit! A tourist gimmick!

So I stopped going.

Marqusa's loss.

I relented and went last night.

I am glad I went.

I will go again.

The meal was outstanding! The staff charmingly pleasant and attentive!

I told the manager my unhappiness with the seating sytem of long ago. I also told her I eat out every night.

She assured me I would be seated at whatever time I wanted from this point forward. And evidenced her sincerity with a free round of drinks and free desserts.

Still early when we finished, so I sauntered over to La Te Da. Had an espresso martini, listened to Debra and Patrick and talked with Mary Jo. A Key West time!

Have a good day!

Golf yesterday!

It was hot hot! The humidity was heavy! I played with Aaron, Bud and Yankee Jack. Our shirts were sweating wet before we even teed off for the first hole. That is hot!

Everyone's game was so so. The highlight of the game was Bud chipping in from about 40 yards out for a birdie on the first hole.

After golf, I drove into town to lunch at Paradise Cafe. I had not been there for a week. I needed the Paradise fix, Cuban toast and Cuban coffee!

Then home for a much needed nap. The golf game/humidity had wiped me out.

But it was not to be.

Lisa got out of work early. She brought the grandkids over to swim.

Last night I stopped at the Yacht Club for a drink. Glad I did. Ran into an old friend I had not seen for a while.

Then to Kwest. It was Wednesday and Wednesday is Bobby Nesbitt time at Kwest!

What a voice! I enjoyed singing along with every one else.

I was hungry. Where to go? I decided on Antonia's where I had dinner at the bar. Clayton the bartender was good company as well as some other guests at the bar.

I was home and in bed early. By 9:30. Still tired from the golf earlier in the day.

Strange day yesterday.

I was tired from the traveling of the day before so I stayed in bed till late morning. Then I had to unpack. Food starting to turn in the refrigerator. So had to grocery shop.

Still early afternoon. I decided to go to the beach. I have not been to the beach in a while.

It is easy here in Key West. Throw a sand chair and towel in the trunk and off you go!

I went to the Federal Beach. Also known as the State Park. Best known as Fort Zach.

The absolute best beach in Key West!

After awhile the sun was getting to me just lying there, so I deceided to take a walk. I went down to the end of the beach where the rocks are. The rocks mark the entrance to Key West harbor. You can see all the boats, large and small, going in and out. A pretty sight!

The beach narrows by the rocks. There were two lovely young ladies sunbathing. Topless! Obviously they caught my eye!

I watched the boats for a time. Hard since my mind was on the topless ones.

On the return trip to my chair I had to go past them again. No problem! My pleasure!

For some reason, the gods were with me. They smiled. I smiled. They said Hi! I said Hi! And we started talking!

They were from France. I should have known!

On an American vacation. Spending two days in Key West. Leaving the next day, today.

Their names were Aimee and Brigitte. Lovely names for lovely ladies with lovely bodies!

Mid 30s. Both single.

We had a pleasant conversation, though a bit difficult for me to concentrate on. We became friends. They wanted to go out on the town and invited me to join them later in the evening. They were not interested in dinner. Just wanted to drink and do the tourist thing.

Who was I to say no. We agreed to meet at Schooner's Wharf at 8. My choice. I was to be the tour director.

Schooner's Wharf is a dive! A huge ramshackle tiki hut on the beach. A local and tourist hangout. One of the last vestiges of old Key West.

They were there! They looked as good in clothes as they did topless! One had short tight shorts and a tee shirt on. The other a very short skirt and halter. Mine for the evening!

Great people! We drank and laughed. And started getting drunk. So time to eat.

I took them over to Sloppy Joe's where we drank some more, they danced and, yes, we ate sloppy joes!

The conversation was terrific! Aimee and Brigitte are smart educated women. We covered a multitude of sins. Politics here and in France, Bush's screw ups, clothes, cost of living, etc.

I was beginning to feel no pain. They seemed to be OK. Must be the youth factor!

The next stop was steps away. Irish Kevin's! A real fun place! Aimee went up on stage and bared her breasts for a free drink. I said "...only in America!" Brigitte said "...in France too!"

We were doing shots of tequilla.

I noticed at Sloppy Joe's, and more so at Irish Kevin's, that the girls were getting touchy with each other. Turns out they are lesbians. Just my luck! I could not get laid in a whore house!

Their sexual preference however did not deter us from continuing to have a great time!

Now aware of where their they were sexually, I suggested we go across the street to the Red Garter. The Red Garter is a strip joint. They were all for it!

I stumbled across the street. They danced their way to the Red Garter. Oh, youth!

The young ladies dancing at the Red Garter are soooooooooo beautiful! Naked! Not a stitch of clothing to cover those perfect bodies.

Aimee and Brigitte were in all their glory! I was happy, too!

And the dancers socialize between sets with the guests. Many of the strippers are gay. My friends and the dancers soon found each other.

It was fun!

It was also late. I was tired. I was bombed.

I kissed Aimee and Bigitte good night. And some of the dancers also. Called a cab since I was drunk. And went home.

If I ever get to France, I am confident that Aimee and Brigitte will make sure I have an equally good time!

I am back in Key West!

Hooray!

Interestingly it was not humid when I arrived last night. Nor is it this morning. The sun is up and shining. The water moving. A cool breeze running over everything.

Now for the return trip.

I forgot my cell phone in Utica. When I remembered, it was too late. No turning back. I would have missed the plane.

Try living a day without your cell phone. You are absolutely lost! Amazing!

I missed receiving calls. Even worse, I felt handicapped in not being able to make calls.

My flight from Newark to Fort Lauderdale was cancelled. Of course! I had to telephone Lisa to tell her I would be a couple of hours late and what my new arrival time would be. I tried to make a telephone call with my credit card. I don't remember the last time I did or if I ever did. I felt like an incompetent ass! It took me awhile to figure out how to do it.

I experienced an embarassing and painful moment at the Syracuse Airport. I fell.

I was going from the check in counter to where ever I had to drop my bags off for security. Two large bags. One on wheels and one not. Plus a bulky over the shoulder brief case. I threw the heavy bag on the wheeler and the brief case over my should and moved forward. The bags went down and I followed them.

As I lay there with the world milling around me, I thought "...you DUMB FUCK! You're old!"

We complain that airline service is lacking and poor. It was not when I fell! Everyone was upon me in seconds. The counter people. Security personnel. Airport police. "Call emergency!" "Get an ambulance!" "Why didn't someone help him with his bags!" "Don't move!" "Where does it hurt?" "Why is it taking emergency so long!" And on and on and on!

My knees and shins hurt, my left wrist and my neck. And my pride! I jumped up and assured everyone I was well and needed no assistance.

The counter attendant took my bags to security. And I took Louis imediately to the escalator to escape the entire situation.

The flights were uneventful, except for the cloud banks I could see out the window on the long leg of my the flight. They looked like huge mounds of freshly plowed snow. If my recollection is correct, a nun in grammar school taught me they were called cumulus. The body may be faltering, but not the mind!

Lisa met me at the Key West Airport. Love her! A good daughter!

A few aches were not going to keep me from going out last night. Though I did make it a quiet one.

I had dinner at the bar at LaTrattoria. Some friends were there so I had people to talk with.

Becca the manager was wandering around. Such a beauty! And what a great dresser! This lady has one hell of a wardrobe.

Kathy was bartending. A beauty also! She is originally from Albany. So I filled her in on the north country.

That was yesterday. I am not sure what I am going to do today. Still have to unpack. Will probably walk and I don't know what else. What a terrible life! But as the saying goes, someone has to do it and I am very willing!

Good morning!

Today I return to Key West. Where I belong!

Yesterday was a pleasant family/friends day. Father's Day gifts received. Hugs and kisses given. A Father's Day gift to my father.

What do you give a 94 year old man who no longer drives. The worst thing in the world is not being able to drive any longer. It robs an individual of his freedom. It jails him in his home.

So he reads a lot! And books I bought him!

Two baseball novels. He loves sports. And happily for me he was thrilled with both books!

May he be here next year for another Father's Day.

Nicole's party was a wonderful!

Large white tents in the yard. Pretty tables. Great food. Italian and Lebanese. My granddaughter Andrea is of Lebanese extraction.

The party gave me an opportunity to be with many friends I have not seen in a while.

In between the partying, I was in and out of the house with others watching the U.S. Open. Tiger did it again! And with only one good leg. Mediate is to be congratualted. This tournamnet is his time. Today will be a great 18 holes!

Have to hurry now. Shower and shave and all those good morning things. And then off to the airport!

To all fathers, a Happy Fathers' Day!

It is nice to be remembered one day a year. However better would it be to be remembered 365 days a year!

We live in a society where many have forgotten their parents. Today's children, now adults, live well and enjoy life because of the sacrifices made for them. But memories are short. Recollections of sacrifices made non existant.

Fathers' Day, and also Mothers' Day, should be a daily thing and not a once a year event.

Graduation was a big deal yesterday! Nicole is finished with one stage of her life and about to step into another. She was beautiful yesterday in her long yellow gown. Radiant appearing! Love her!

My 94 year old father and I sat together at the ceremony. He reminded me that I had graduated from the same high school oh so many years ago! And so had my 4 children! And now two of my grandchildren!

A wonderful tradition! Solid! Speaks well of our life in this country.

Played golf yesterday at Turning Stone Casino with my friend Bob from Rochester. You will recall he visited me in Key West for a week earlier in the year.

We had a good time. And I played well! Very well! The best in ages! I hope it holds up so I can show off this week when I play in Key West.

Last night Bob and I had dinner at Club 2-1 at Turning Stone. Newly remodeled, it is absolutely beautiful! A man's place. Heavily dark wooded.

Enjoyed myself. Ran into old friends I have not seen in some time.

Turning Stone has been in business in central New York for about 15 years. From a small casino, it has turned into the best of Las Vegas in the onion country of upstate New York. An absolutely beautiful facility that has grown from a gambling casino into a first class resort.

It is Indian owned and operated. Employs over 5,000. The major employer in the area.

What goes around, comes around. This country cheated the Indians early on. Now it is their time. Their gambling casinos are successful enterprises. And as a result thereof their people benefit. It must be recognized though that all of us benefit where ever these casinos are located. They contribute greatly to the ecomony. And also and importantly are major charitable contributors.

Good neighbors! Good people all!

It is Sunday morning. Church time.

This is a short one today!

It is graduation day and I have to get ready. My daughter Beth and her husband slept in the room where the computer is. And they slept late. My father is calling for me to pick him up.

So I am off and running.

Enjoy your day.

And say a prayer for Tim Russert!

Great day weatherwise yesterday! High 60s to low 70s. A just right coolness in the air.

I have to repeat what I said yesterday. It is absolutely beautiful here in the north country!

The area has had a lot of rain and a lot of heat. The combination has made everything green and lush. The trees, lawns and shrubs are vibrantly alive!

Easy on the eyes and good for the soul!

I filled the gas tank on my 21 year old Mercedes yesterday. $85! Enough said!

I am doing some reading regarding oil companies. Specifically those that buy oil from countries that don't like us and those that buy no oil from countries that want to do us in. Hopefully by tomorrow I will be able to report my findings and suggest those we should buy gasoline from and who we should ignore.

I am playing golf with my friend Rocco today. Rocco is a retired pharmacist, business owner and entrepreneur. He had a very successful career! And an even more successful retirement where a drug company he started with several others was sold for a pretty penny! Good man and God bless!

Rocco just participated in the fiftieth anniversary celebration of his graduation from Albany Pharmacy School. A real life marker! Congratualtions my friend!

Rocco is married to Mary Ann. Mary Ann spotted Rocco for the first time in high school. She decided to capture him. And capture him she did! They are close to celebrating their fifitieth wedding anniversary.

Enough. I have to get ready for golf.

Well, I finished my first full day in Utica. It was not bad. Actually, good. But I have become a Key West person.

The weather yesterday was low to mid 70s. Just a touch of heat. More on the cool side.

Fortunately for me!

My air conditioner on the car went! Only warm air from the vents!

My personal car in Utica is a Mercedes-Benz. A 1988 420 SEL. I bought it new in August 1987. More than 20 years ago. It has only 110,000 miles on it. I take very good care of the car. I baby it!

At the time of its purchase in 1987 the car cost $54,000. A lot of money then! A lot of money now!

Because of its abhorrent cost at the time, I vowed to always take good care of the car. It was my intent to drive it forever. Never to purchase another car. A reflection of my cheap nature!

And if I had not purchased an additional home in Key West , I never would have acquired another car.

When I first bought the house in Key West, I brought the Mercedes down for the winter. I had it flat bedded down and back so as not to abuse the car.

I did one season only. A month after I had the car returned to Utica, I had trouble starting it. The problem was that the salt in the air in the keys had corroated some of the wires.

So much for the Mercedes ever breathing Key West air again!

As you can see, I love my Mercedes and do take very good care of it. I feel like my baby is sick with the air conditioning problem.

We both, the Mercedes and I, are going to have to suffer through the weekend. I do not want to waste any of my brief time here sitting around a garage waiting for the car to be fixed. So I will drive with the windows open the next few days. It will not be harmful to the car. The Mercedes is scheduled for repair next week after I am gone.

Lunch with my father yesterday. Then to Barnes and Noble for reading and coffee and girl watching.

My father is doing well. For his age! He is 94.

We had a good time and some very good conversation.

Last night we met some friends at our golf club, the Yahnundasis.

Wednesday night is now jazz night and free hors d'ouerves and pickies.

There was no music.

Except for the wings, the rest of the food left much to be desired. Even if it was free!

The wings were almost as good as Kelly's however.

Utica is an Italian town. All of us last night were of Italian American extraction. So it was off to Cafe Florentine for Italian coffee and pastries.

Cafe Florentine is an old time Italian cafe. A cup of coffee and a pastry. Originally and still in East Utica, it now has another store in New Hartford. The Florentine is really old time! Older than me! And I am soon to be 73.

The conversation got around to the increased cost of things today. Except for Gus who is in his late 50s, all of us are in the late 60s early 70s age range.

We all remembered when we could buy a pustie of 10 cents. Last night one cost $1.50.

And the pustie was half the size!

What all of us forget when we have these conversations is that the 10 cents and other radically cheaper costs were 50-60 years ago! So the increase is really not that dramatic.

All in all, it was a very pleasant evening. Spent with friends of many years. All with common roots.

Nine hours of flying yesterday. Three planes. All on time. The planes are generally on time in the warm weather.

I am here in Utica.

A beautiful morning. The sun is shining. The trees and foliage are full blown. Everything green.

Different from Key West. Of course. I would describe Utica in the summer as Key West dressed up!

They tell me it was heavy humidity here through yesterday afternoon. Then a big storm came in and the temperature dropped 25 degrees. So it will now be normal June weather here. Low 70s. And no humidity.

The last 20 minutes of my plane ride were a bit difficult. We hit a rain storm outside Syracuse. Lots of lightning. The plane was up and down. There were some howls on the plane. My stomach was getting unsteady. It had been 20 years since I experienced a plane ride like that.

Pouring the whole 50 mile car ride from Syracuse to Utica. I have not seen that much rain in at least a year. We need a storm like that in Key West. The keys are desperate for rain.

I had to run all of 10 feet from the car to my Utica home. I got soaking wet. That is how hard it was raining!

The recession was evident in the airports.

My sense is that fewer people are flying.

Miami airport was not that bustling at noon. Since I was flying 2 different airlines, I had to go through security again in Miami. No big deal! I went through quickly. The lines were short.

The Syracuse airport was a shocker!

Syracuse is a major city in the northeast. The airport is huge. The parking garage alone is larger that Key West's main Beachside building. Just to give you a sense of the airport.

When I landed at 6:30 there was only one plane on the ground. And that was a commuter plane. I landed on a US Air airbus. So now there were 2 planes on the ground.

No other planes sitting anywhere.

Says something.

What interesting things await me today in Utica today?

We shall see.

As hot and humid as it is here in Key West, it is hotter and more humid in the northeast. And that is where I am heading today. Back to upstate New York for a week. My granddaughter Nicole is graduating from high school.

I spent the whole day yesterday doing paper work. Nothing like a pending trip to motivate one to play catch up!

Last night I had dinner at the bar at LaTrattoria.

The season is over. The town is dead. But LaTrattoria was jam packed with people. I was lucky to get a seat at the bar.

Why the place was so busy and so full, I do not know. I will make the observation that the patrons were primarily locals. Must be all of us who live here in Key West decided to do LaTrattoria at the same time.

Becha is the hostest at La trattoria. A lovely lady! She was especially striking last night in a long strapless black dress. With a knee high slit on the side. Regal appearing. She glided smoothly throughout the restaurant all evening. It was her domain! It is her domain!

Well, I am off to the airport. Back to Utica. Pray tell, what interesting things await me there?

Sundays have become pretty routine. Quiet easy days. As the Good Book says...Sunday should be a day of rest!

And for me it has so become!

Breakfast as usual at Camille's with the family. Always good. And interesting! The grandkids continue to impress me. They are a constant source of joy!

Then to the coffee house to read the Sunday papers. Two and a half hours. The New York Post and New York Times.

Did nothing all afternoon.

Wings at Kelly's last night. Then home to watch the LA/Boston game on TV.

I would like to say I had a good night's sleep. However I did not! For some reason I woke at 1 am and was awake the rest of the night.

I gave up the battle of trying to sleep at 6 and went to Paradise Cafe for breakfast. It was still dark.

While reading the morning papers and doing the Cuban coffee and toast thing, a mild uproar occurred at my feet. It startled and initially scarred me.

The rooster was trying to do the hen. She was not having anything to do with it or him. They had a battle royal before she was able to get away. Actually the rooster ran off. She got the best of him.

Some females do not like morning sex!

I hung around the house during the day yesterday. I wanted to watch Clinton at noon and the Belmont later in the afternoon.

Clinton's speech was right on! Perfect. However she was 45 minutes late. How insulting! Like the rest of America, I watched the TV set showing her car in front of her home waiting for her to enter it. Even a woman does not have the right to be late for an event of yesterday's nature.

The Belmont was a scarry disappointment. I thought Big Brown's hoof was the problem when he was pulled up. However it turns out he just ran out of gas and his jockey was being precautionary. This morning's news suggests his lack of training caused by the hoof condition and other med problems may have contributed to his running out of gas.

Last night I went to the movies. I decided to see the new Indiana Jones film. The fifth one so made.

The reason I opted to go was that I have never seen an Indiana Jones movie, either in the theatre or on TV. For real!

The movie was enjoyable. Not great. But good entertainment.

I have to tell you though, the movie brought back some memories.

The movie is set in 1957.

In 1957, I was 21, graduated from college, got married and started law school.

In the movie, Indiana Jones has a son. A young fellow. Somewhere around my age in 1957.

He wore his hair a bit long and with a DA. He was constantly combing it.

I had a DA at the time.

For those of you who might be unfamiliar with a DA, it is short for Duck's Ass. The hair was long in the back and combed sideways so each side met in the middle. Much like a duck's ass!

The DA and the rest of a young man's hair would not stay in place naturally. These were the days of Wildroot Cream Oil. White gooey stuff. All men used some form of grease on their hair in those days, regardless of style or length.

Not me, though! Wildroot was too mild for my head! I used Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. Yes, that gooey stuff you can still buy today. I coated my hair with it. Not a strand moved afterwards. And on a hot summer day, the bugs found a repository.

The movie also showed young people in a sort of diner/restaurant doing what young people did in those days. Drinking coca cola and eating french fries.

We all drank coke back then. Pepsi ran a distant second in sales. There were no diet drinks. Everything was the real stuff! All that sugar!

And no cans! Coke was bottled. All sodas and beers were bottled. And the empties were recyclicable. You returned the empty bottles to the store and were paid a nickel for each one returned.

After the movie I stopped at Square One for a drink and some idle chatter with friends.

Then I walked over to La Te Da for another. I am glad I did.

There was Mary Jo standing outside La Te Da leaning on a parking meter. She was trying to make a telephone call. She was a bit under the weather and needed a cab.

As you know, Mary Jo has terminal cancer. She is fighting a hell of a battle! And last night had a few too many. If it were me, I would probably not be as courageous and down a few too many every night!

I drove Mary Jo home.

And then myself.

Played golf yesterday morning. It was fortunate we did not play for money. My game sucked.

It was very humid. No excuse. However the last 5-6 holes were torture. Like digging ditches.

I was shot! So I spent the afternoon in bed.

Had dinner at the bar at LaTrattoria. Spaghetti and oil with garlic and red pepper. So good! Then next door to Virgilio's for a drink.

Although the season is over, Key West fills up on the weekend. Prices are dramatically reduced at the hotels/motels and most restaurants. Key West is a quck cheap trip fix!

The dramatic increased cost for a barrel of oil yesterday is being felt. The market dropped big time. The cost of a gallon of gas will probably increase today or in the next few days.

How much can we take? When is someone going to do something about it?

Our elected leaders and aspiring candidates seem to give the problem lip service. Is there no solution? I am sure it is a complicated problem. But we need relief! And we must assure that our Nation is not brought to its knees economically.

I remind you again that Reagan did not defeat Communist Russia on the battlefield. He destroyed their economy!

My interest in politics took over yesterday.

With the Democratic primary over and all this talk of Hillary as VP, I spent the morning at the coffeee house on Duval sipping coffee and reading the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and New York Post. Their editorial and columnist writings on the Hillary subject were exciting. As I had anticpated they would be.

Dinner last night was at the Commodore with friends. The place was basically empty, as all other restaurants in Key West at this time of the year. However the food and company were good. And so was the bill! I was glad I was not paying.

Then I took a walk over to Irish Kevin's. I had not been there since Mike Yutzy and his friends were in town.

Met a nice young lady at the bar. Actually nice does not adequately describe her. Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!

She was from Indiana.

Somehow the conversation got into dildos. Don't ask me how. I don't know. But all of a sudden we were there and she was telling me all kinds of things. Note that I am old enough to be her grandfather!

She told me she had to throw her dildo away. She could not wash it any longer.

I told her to buy a new one.

"Dude," she said, "I can't pay the rent! You want me to buy a new dildo!"

I was impressed. Her priorities were properly placed.

Or were they?

I was home in bed, alone, by 9:30 and sleeping well before 10.

Overcast this morning. A dark cloud on the horizon. A strong breeze from the northeast. And warm!

It will be even warmer in a couple of hours. And humid. Because that is the way it is this time of the year!

No golf yesterday. I had a business meeting all morning. Even wore long pants!

Lunch at Southernmost's beachside restaurant. Sits right there on the Atlantic. Outdoor. A beautiful view!

Dinner at the bar last night at Antonia's. This popular restaurant always jam packed during season. Last night quiet, mouse quiet, with only a handful of people. Evidence that the season is over. Even the streets have fewer and fewer people wandering about.

Spoke for awhile with Clayton the bartender. You will recall he is from New Zealand. Owns property in Key West and Dubai. Obviously a world citizen and a world traveler. He has a summer trip planned to Vietnam.

Then to Square One for a drink. Chatted with Michael the owner and Patrick the bartender. Good people.

Still had room for one more drink. So off to La Te Da.

Glad I went. Saw many people I have not run into for awhile.

Of course, Mary Jo and Donna were there! Mary Jo had lucked out. No chemo this week. The shipment never made it to the hospital.

Donna is the lovely Donna Barnett. She is up there in years. They say you never tell a woman's age. But I know Donna would not mind. She just turned 60. You would never know it. A very lovely striking woman!

Why am I getting into this sensitive area of age? Well, Donna recently did a fashion shoot. Why? Because she wanted to. Reason enough!

She showed me the pictures. Fantastic!

There was Donna in all kinds of black clothing. All tastefully done. And so sexy! No, sexy does not say it correctly. Sensual is the more precise description.

I asked her why she did this. Where would the pictures go? Who would receive them?

She said "...I did it for myself."

Good girl Donna! You have it all together!

I had a date last night with Kathleen Peace!

Everyone did!

At the Pier House. She was Larry Smith's featured vocalist.

What a voice! What control! Ethel Merman reincarnated!

And a beauty to behold! A knockout last night! A lovely woman, inside and out!

If you have never heard her sing, run, don't walk, to her next appearance!

The day was muggy and quiet.

I tried to buy Scot McClellan's book at Borders. Good luck! They were sold out immediately. Maybe a new shipment Friday.

One of the staff told me it was the second most demanded book ever! The first was Secret.

Saw the grandkids. They are off to pre school soon. Montessori. So they have new book bags. Yesterday they were riding their bikes with their helmets and new book bags on. Cute!

I had dinner at the bar at La Trattoria before going to the Pier House to listen to Kathleen Peace. Very quiet. The whole island is. The season is truly over.

Today is Wednesday. Golf day. I am going to miss golf today. I have a business meeting at 9 am. I think my priorities are getting screwed up!

Sex in the City!

I saw the movie last night.

One of the best movies ever!

Go see it!

Each actor was right on! Every line was on point!

Perfection and professionalism combined!

I laughed. I cried. I thought.

The movie had it all!

Other than that, it was a typical day. Walked at Home Depot because of the humidity. Lunched at Hogfish. A treat. A business meeting in the afternoon. An early dinner before the movie at Outback. A treat also since I have not been there in ages.

The morning is cool. There is little breeze. A few clouds. The water moving slowly.

All very deceptive. Within 2-3 hours it will be sticky hot. The way it is supposed to be this time of the year in Key West.

Another example of God's in his Heaven, all's right with the world!

Yesterday was special! It was Sunday! It was Ally's birthday!

My granddaughter was 3 years old!

We had a birthday luncheon. Ally's parents, brother Robert and grandparents.

It was a pink time for Ally. A very pink time! As she wanted it. For the past couple months, she insists on everything being pink for her.

Lisa baked a pink cake. With pink frosting, of course. And at Ally's special request, a big A on top of the frosting for Ally! She is into letters also lately.

And the gifts! Everything pink!

She was transformed into a pink princess!

The long dress, tiara, wand and shoes! Even pink sunglasses!

She looked magnificent! So beautiful! And so proud! She preened the rest of the afternoon!

By the time the party was over, I was tired. So it was home to bed for a nap.

It was no wonder I was tired. Remember it was Sunday. So as usual we started the day with breakfast at Camille's. Then the birthday luncheon. I overate the cake. I overate period! My poor body needed to rest.

Last night we had a "light" dinner with Donna at Kelly's. We all picked at a whole deep fried snapper. Small. Had some wings and brie and shared a dessert. Really not much food! Sounds worse than it was. SurprisinglyI was still a bit hungry when we finished.

We topped off the evening with Larry Smith's Sunday Showcase at the Pier House. The featured vocalist was the ever enchanting Carmen Rodriguez. A wonderful performer! A great voice!

She entertained us with jazz and rock and roll tunes. A lot of Linda Ronstadt.

Carmen is a Conch! A very big deal here in Key West. The title/label means she was born here. An item of pride!

The summer is definitely upon us. It was very humid yesterday and last night. Heavy tiring humidity!

It appears to be starting the same way today. The sun is up. There are scattered clouds. The water calm. And no breeze! It is the lack of breeze which is the humidity indicator!

Enjoy your day! I am going to try hard to enjoy mine!

The battle of man vs. chickens continues!

I was at Paradise Cafe yesterday for lunch. The chickens showed up. Management water gunned them again. The chickens ran.

I doubt the chickens will be either dissuaded or defeated.

First for the reason expressed yesterday. There are so many of them in Key West!

The other reason which dawned on me yesterday is that the Paradise Cafe represents a food supply. The chickens literally live off the crumbs which fall from the tables! There is no better source of food in the neighborhood!

I spent most of the day glued to the TV set and the Democratic meeting re seating Florida and Michigan. It was not as thrilling as I had anticpated, but it kept my attention. This is going to be one hell of an election!

Last night started with drinks at Beachside and then dinner at Antonia's. We were out with Serge and Karen. Good people! Good company!

Today is granddaughter Ally's third birthday! A big day! I have tons of gifts for her. I will start giving them to her at breakfast at Camille's shortly. It is Sunday!