The weather is changing. For the better! Actually humid! The TV weather channel projects a high of 76 today. The Miami news show this morning projected 83. Whatever, the good Key West weather is back!

I finished Dexter Filkin's book The Forever Wars yesterday. I highly recommend it! About Iraq and Afghanistan today and in the recent several years.

The book made it increasingly clear to me that we never belonged in Iraq. One thing further is clear also. We will never change them!

The Shites and Sunnis have this muti thousand year war going all the time. They hate each other. No question about it.

There are distinctions between the Shites and Sunnis. One is the way they treat their enemies and captives. One group beheads them. The other is more modern. It uses electric drills on the legs and head. And in the event power is not available, then nails hammered into the head. A clear distinction between the two groups.

How disgusting! How barbaric! It will continue long after we are gone.

Why are we there? When will we leave?

Dinner last night at the bar at La Trattoria with friend Donna. Pleasant.

How does this sound? "Magical, mind altering lubricants for social intercourse."

The statement is in very fine print at the top of La Trattoria's martini menu. Cool! I never saw it before.

I walked over to Keys. This new piano bar seems to be making it. Packed at 10. Not a seat in the place! And I understand they are open and going strong till 4 in the morning!

It is Sunday! Love Sundays! As soon as I complete the blog, I will drive down the road to purchase the Sunday papers. Then home to read them at my leisure. Meet the Press at 10. Don's Place this afternoon. And probably dinner with Lisa and the family tonight.

What could be better!

I started my morning yesterday with a haircut. Not a spectacular event in itself. However my lovely barber Lori has opened her own beauty salon. Just this week. So it was my first time in the new place.

It is called Blown Away. And it is as lovely as Lori herself!

Four hairstylists and soon a manicurist.

Blown Away is located just off Duval between Bank of America and Dunkin Doughnuts.

Afterwards I went over to the Coffee House to read the morning papers and enjoy a choco moca.

Lisa telephoned while I was there. Ally was sick. Temperature and sore ear. So off I went to visit my graddaughter.

Sick she was. Sad when they are so small.

I stayed for lunch. Turkey salad sandwich. What else!

Greg is a local contractor who looks after my home here in Key West. We have been talking about going out for ages. Last night we did.

The evening started at Aqua. I wanted to hear Vanessa Di Gennaro sing. She was her usual great self! And, of course, her mother and father were there also. Proud parents! Her Dad Mario is Mayor of Monroe County.

Dinner was at Antonia's. The restaurant was full. Happy people enjoying themseves.

Then down Duval Street to the new Keys. Terri was singing. What a great voice! A talent! I already mentioned a few days ago that she is moving here from New York. She goes back north to the City Monday to get her things and bring them back. A welcome addition to the Key West family!

The Keys was sort of empty when I arrived. Within an hour the place was jam packed! It looks like it is going to succeeed.

I had a good time. Greg had a good time.

I got home a little later than usual. Around 11:30. And slept well! I made up for the night before when I only got 2 hours.

I did an absolutely stupid thing yesterday. I attribute it to old age.

I parked my car in the municipal lot behind Antonia's when I went for my haircut. There were very few cars in the lot. I put about an hour of quarters in the meter. When I returned to my car, I had a parking ticket. $25! I had put the quarters in the wrong meter! See what a college education will do for you!

The sun is rising. The water is still. Very still. It is supposed to be a warm day today. Around 76. About time!

Enjoy!

Yesterday was a strange one. By day, the best! The evening sucked!

I enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at 1 with Lisa and the family. The kids were terrific! They were into the holiday and the meal.

Lisa out did herself. The turkey and fixings could not have been better! She was up at 6 getting things ready. Robert and Ally were right there aside her, of course!

I ate and ate and ate. Even though I swore to myself earlier I would not. It never fails!

I was tired after dinner. So I plunked down in an easy chair to watch pro football. I dozed on and off for a couple of hours.

I returned home around 4. I decided to stay in last night, rather than hit Duval. Sort of a holiday cleansing thing.

Did not eat dinner. No room! Watched TV.

Climbed in bed around 8. Figured I would fall asleep around 10. Good luck! For whatever reason, sleep escaped me. It was 3:30 before I dozed off. And then I awoke at 5:30. Going to be a tough day!

To make matters worse, the cable TV went off around 11 and stayed off all night. I leave the TV on all night while I am sleeping. So, no sleep, no TV.

Around 1, I said what the hell, might as well go to the internet and do my blog. My computer would not hook up. Things were going well! Straight down hill!

I spent an hour in the middle of the night continuing to read Ron Susskind's book about the Bush/Cheney lie about weapons of mass destruction. How could they! It will always be with us.

Sergio called last night. He wants to play golf today. I would like to. We have never played together. I told him I would call him this morning and let him know. I must have been intuitive. No way can I play on only 2 hours sleep. I am sufficiently old and sufficiently the poor player, that 18 holes after only 2 hours sleep would kill me!

My big thing for today is a haircut. With Lauri, of course! She has finally taken the big step. Not marriage! She opened her own business. No longer will she rent a chair. She now rents out chairs! I look forward to seeing her in her new salon this morning!

Other than that, I plan an easy day. However I will go out tonight! This staying in apparently does not work for me!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

I love holidays! A good family and friend time!

I am having dinner with Lisa, Corey and the grandkids. Robert and Ally are all excited! They are beginning to understand and appreciate these big days.

And to John and Allie who are visiting from Leeds, England, I wish you a most happy Thanksgiving day! Enjoy your time with Larry and Christine!

Golf yesterday.

I do not know why I play the game. I am never going to get better. Most times, I play worse than the previous week. Yesterday was one of those days!

I could not drive. My second shot was non existant. Forget pitching and chipping. And my putting was rediculous.

I shot 128! For shame!

I rode with Kurt. Kurt is not only a good guy, he is a gentleman! Yesterday was a big day for him. He shot a 72! Two over par. What a pleasure it was to watch him play!

And he never once said a word of criticism to me. He was always there helping to find my ball in the tall grass or shrubbery. All the while he had this great round going!

Kurt bartends at Don's Place. Stop by and chat with him. You will like him!

Yankee Jack and Larry completed our four some. I, of course, was the big loser. Cost me $12. Kurt the big winner.

Last night was Bobby Nesbitt at Aqua at cocktail time. Always good! Primarily locals in attendance. Donna showed up.

We had dinner afterwards at the bar at Antonia's. Quiet. I guess everyone was home cooking and preparing for today's meal.

I was tired. Shooting 128 will tire any one out! Think of how many times I had to swing the club! So I went directly home after dinner. Donna was off to the Keys to see Terri and a late evening.

The powerhouse lesbians (as they describe themselves) are getting together for Thanksgiving dinner today at some one's home. Donna, Terri and Mary Jo plan on going. Some sort of discrimination involved here. We of the other gender cannot attend.

I am looking out the window. An absolutely beautiful day in the making! There is something exhilerating about living on the ocean and seeing the mass of water every day! Good for the mind! Good for the soul!

Enjoy your day!

My day yesterday started with a Thanksgiving party at Montessori. My grandkids Robert and Allie were absolutely wonderful! Ah, a grandfather's pride!

They each wore a pilgrim's hat. Robert one of those big black ones and Allie a cute white bonnet.
They sang and prayed and then sat down to a Thanksgiving feast. And they had it all! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. So much food! And after the kids were fed, the adults were allowed to dive in.

I have done Montessori in upstate New York with one of my other grandchildren. Never anything like this! A feast! The affluence of Key West was reflected in the meal.

Dinner was equally delightful last night. I dined at La Trattoria with Donna and Terri. Donna is my lesbian friend. Terri is a lesbian also. They have become lovers. Holding hands in public and the like.

Terri continues to be an interesting woman. As you know, she is in love with Key West as well as Donna. Terri is going to settle here permanently. She told me last night it reminds her of New York's Village 40 years ago when everyone knew each other, everyone was helpful to each other, everyone was concerned for each other and so on.

I also learned that for the past 4 years Terri has been opening for Liza Minelli in Las Vegas.

After dinner, I took the both of them over to the Pier House. I wanted Terri to meet Larry Smith. She did. She sang 2 songs. She wowed him! She wowed everyone in the room!

John and Allie from Leeds, England were there. I met them about 2 years ago at a dinner party at Larry and Christine's home. They spend one month a year in Key West. John swears he reads my blog every day. He also occasionally e mails me.The blog keeps him up with Key West.

It was good to see John and Allie again. They are spending Thanksgiving with Larry and Christine. However at John and Allie's place. John and Allie are cooking a special English meal for them.

Golf this morning! I am anxious to play. It is a bit on the cool side. Overcast. The high is projected at 73.

Have a good day!

A great day in the making!

The sun is bright, a cloudless sky, blue water and a comfortable temperature.

Today is a grandfather/grandkids day. Robert and Ally go to Montessori. They have some sort of show for their families at 11. I shall be there!

I had a good time last night. Sergio met me for dinner at La Trattoria. Sergio is good company! I enjoy being with him.

Afterwards we stopped at the Keys for a drink. Bobby Nesbitt was performing. Terri was singing also. A lot of people we knew. A pleasant time!

A simple evening spent with good people. As it should be.

The cold wave has moved on! The only problem is that another one is predicted starting Wednesday. Whatever, the sun is bright this morning, nary a cloud in the sky and the breeze is soft and comforting.

Syracuse beat Notre Dame Saturday! 24-23. An upset! Syracuse football has sucked for around 10 years. Notre Dame is only the third win of the season for Syracuse. And the season is almost over! Plus Syracuse fired their coach this past week prior to the game. A good win! Oh, how I long for the days of Syracuse football supremecy to return!

Yesterday was Sunday. A bit of a busy day for me.

In the morning, I drove to the gas station to buy the Sunday papers. Then home for breakfast and to read them.

Around noon Lisa came over. We sat outside in the sun for a couple of hours and chatted. Father/daughter talk. Good for the soul!

Sunday means pro football time. So after Lisa left, I was off to Don's Place.

The place was mobbed! The food of the day was chili. It was Don's Annual Chili Cookoff Day!

More than 20 entries.

I tried a few. Learned something. Never mix chilis! My stomach was boiling all afternoon!

Tino was taking pictures. You can see them at http://www.donscookoff.blogspot.com/. I am in the last two eating chili.

Tino, you are one great photographer! To describe it aptly, Don's Place is a bit worn. Tino's pics make the place look bright and shiny.

Then off to Lisa's to play with the grandkids. They are excited about Thanksgiving! Especially 4 year old Robert. All he talks about is the turkey. This is the first Thanksgiving he appears knowledgable about the holiday.

My friend Donna had invited me to join her at the Waterfront Playhouse where she has season tickets for a show last night. On the way over, I stopped at the Pier house to talk with Larry Smith. However there was a wedding reception going on. So I said my hellos to him and then walked over to the Waterfront Playhouse.

The show at Waterfront was called Encore! Twenty five of Key West's best vocalists sang Broadway tunes. One song per singer. Each came out, did his/her thing and was off the stage. Simple and sweet! Most good. Some great! I especially enjoyed Bruce Moore, Mike Mulligan and Randy Roberts.

After the show, Donna and I were in the mood for a nightcap. We stopped at Keys for a drink. Terri was singing. So good!

Mary Jo was there also. I ended up driving Mary Jo and Donna to their respective homes and then it was home for me!

All in all, a nice day! A Key West day!

There is a new star in Key West! Her name is Terri!

Terri is from New York City. She came to Key West recently for one week to appear as a singer at the new Keys piano bar. She has decided to stay, to make Key West her permanent home.

Terri has had a distinguished Broadway career. She received a Tony nomination for her work in the hit show Barnum. She won an Obie for her appearance in the off Broadway show The Club, in which she starred with Tommy Tune. She replaced the great Nellie Carter in Ain't Misbehavin. And on and on and on!

Her voice is spectacular! You will enjoy listening to her.

And even more important, she seems to be a very nice person. Genuine would best describe her. Quiet and soft spoken. Another good soul joining the Key West family.

Some one is born, some one dies. Life moves on.

No one died. In this case, some one has come to Key West and some one has left. Key West lost one its charming members yesterday. Dotti Clifford.

Dotti has been in Key West for 28 years. Part of the fabric. Well, things are getting tough here as in the rest of the country. Actually the rest of the world. People are being laid off, cannot get new jobs. Such was Dotti's plight.

So she bit the bullit. She left last night for Altoona, Pennsylvania to go to work in a family printing business.

Her sister Beth and brother in law Ted drove down to pick her up. They loaded a U Haul with Dottie's possessions and left after dinner last night to drive back to Altoona.

It is a story being repeated many times in today's society. Unfortuantely with increasing frequency. Shades of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men!

We all had dinner at the Commodore before they left. Interestingly, it was uplifting and positive. I wish Dottie well.

Afterwards I stopped at La Te Da to hear Debra and Patrick. I am glad they are back. Class people with a class act!

Then across the street to the Keys for a drink. That is where I heard Terri sing. Actually it was the third time I have heard her perform. Again, she's good! A talent!

And then home to bed.

Cold last night. I woke in the middle of the night freezing. I finally capitualted. I turned the heat on!

I wish it would warm up!

60s during the night and the low 70s by day is not to my liking. I prefer warm all the time.

It sounds strange to those who have not lived in this climate for a long time to hear someone complain that those numbers are uncomfortable. Especially my friends in upstate New York who right now are experiencing weather around 25 degrees and 10 inches of snow!

I have concluded that there is truth to the age old adage that one's blood thins in a warmer climate. That is why this weather is bothering me. Remember it was only 3-4 weeks ago when we had daily temperatures in the low 90s. That is a 20-30 point drop in a short period of time. My blood has not thickened!

Oh, the problems of life! May they all be no worse than the weather I complain of.

I had a pleasant day yesterday.

Lunch at Paradise Cafe. A long one. I sat outside in the sun and read the Key West and Miami papers.

Then I stopped at Borders. I am close to finishing The Forever Wars by Dexter Filkins. A great book! About the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Those Iraqis are crazy! Not our culture! We are trying to customize them to our type society. Good luck! It will never happen. Thousands of years cannot be chaged overnight or over 10 years or over a 100 years. We are different peoples! So they now have a President and some sort of congress. Just a front to accomodate us.

The book indicates that the towns are really run by war lords. Fighting/killing is a common occurence. One community has a man who is in charge of beheading. That is his job! Like being the town hangman. He slices heads off. And then keeps them in his house to show off!

Something sick there.

It gets even better. Someone lost a son. The beheader wanted the parent of the dead son to know his death had been avenged. So after beheading the culprit, he plucked the eyes out and sent them over to the parent. A gift!

Revenge is a big part of the Iraqi culture. They apparently have a saying to the effect that......I shall drink his blood! In other words, if someone does you evil, you have the individual killed and drink his blood! Yes, that is what I said. To put it in factual context, an Iraqi woman lost her husband to a bad guy. A friend killed the bad guy and filled a vial with the dead guy's blood. Then he took it to the widow who drank it down.

Why are we there? When are we getting out? Our societies are like oil and water. Never will mix! Never will blend!

A very revealing book! I recommend it for reading.

Last night I had a pleasant meal at the bar at La Trattoria. Then over to La Te Da. Debra and Patrick are back. It was their opening night. A huge crowd!

I walked across the street later to Keys. Stayed for a few moments to chat with friends.

And then home to bed. My evening was over by 11. I will never learn how to stay up late. It is not part of my nature.

Good morning!

Still cold! Colder up north, though!

I woke about 3 this morning. My ears and nose were freezing! Fortunately I fell back to sleep.

It is a bit colder where I live. My home is basically on open water. The bedroom faces north. The cold wind blows down on us from the north!

I started my day yesterday with lunch at The Westin. Specifically, the Bistro. I had a Symphony board meeting.

Sebrina Alfonso is both Driector and Conductor. She wears the business hat as well as the cultural one. And does a bang up job at both! Sebrina has 3 great concerts scheduled starting in January. If you have not already purchased season tickets, do so immediately. There are only a few left.

Last night was bocci! We did good! Won 2 out of 3 games!

We destroyed the opposition in the first 2 games. No competition! Then in the third game, the tide turned. As bad as we beat them in the first 2 games, they whipped our asses in the third.

Such is life! Such is bocci!

The competition was led by Jenny and Lindsey in the third game.

Jenny is my friend from Walgreen's. She was deadly in that last game!

Lindsey was right on with Jenny in making those great and tough shots! Lindsey did not have good first and second games. No one on her team did. However someone has to be blamed. And her teammates seemed to be blaming Lindsey. Even her mother who plays on the team! They were going to bench Lindsey for the third game. But she complained, growled and frowned! She played! And well! Good for you, Lindsey!

We are all like family out there on the bocci courts. Lindsey announced last night she was pregnant. 9 weeks and 4 days. How is that for pride! And they yelled at her for playing poorly in the first 2 games. Enough! Leave this pregnant woman alone!

I hurried over to White Street after the bocci matches. Good friend Donna Barnett makes jewelry. Last night was the White Street Walk and she was showing some of her work at one of the galleries. I arrived before closing. Donna's pieces looked terrific! Well done! I have seen Donna and many of her customers wearing her pieces. In every instance the jewelry enhanced the woman's appearance! Seek Donna out and buy a piece of her talent. You will love it!

Then home to bed. Well before 10. Asleep early. Must be that is why I woke at 3 with cold ears and a cold nose!

Have a good day!

Still cold!

I even wore a leather jacket when I went out last night!

Supposed to warm up over the weekend.

Golf was interesting yesterday. Whether the cold became a problem, depended on the hole being played and the direction of the wind. The trees and houses block the wind. So some holes were warm and others bad cold! On one tee, the wind was behind us. It was moving fast. It was almost freezing. I thought my neck was going to snap from the ice cold wind!

Anyhow.....I had an interesting golf experience. Which I doubt had anything to do with the weather.

For the past 4 years, I have not been able to get off the tee. My drives suck!

I tried everything. Stand closer to the ball, further back, close my stance, open my stance, change drivers, use an iron, crack my wrists going back, crack my wrists at impact and so on. Nothing worked. Pure desperation!

Last year I purchased a hybrid 3 iron. My second shoot became terrific! So my inability to gain distance off the tee became less depressing.

Starting on the 10th tee yesterday, I started hitting my drives long and straight. Why, I do not know. I was not trying anything new. However I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. I had 9 holes of great drives!

Nevertheless, my score did not improve!

Since my drives were now long, I could not use my hybrid 3 club. Too long. So I had to go into my bag and use irons. I was playing irons I have not touched in years. I was hitting them. But I could not judge distance. I was generally over the green.

Add to the situation that I was not putting well.

My score on the back side was no better than on the front or how I have been playing for several years. However I am not complaining. It was exciting to be hitting with the big guys again off the tee! I wish I knew why. I will be playing again next week and I want to continue hitting them long!

Aqua and Bobby Nesbitt last night! Loved it!

A bigger crowd than usual. Mostly locals. Even Karen Leonard and Linda Schufer. They were doing a girls' night out for cocktails. Love them both!

Then dinner at the bar at Antonia's with good friend Donna Barnett. Great company! We solve all the world's problems when we get together.

Tonight bocci! The courts are on the Atlantic. It is going to be cold cold! Long pants time!

This Obama/Hillary and Secretary of State position is out of hand! Obama won! He is the star. She is in a supporting role. Plain and simple! Even though I believe she would be a great Secretary of State, perhaps Obama should consider some one else. The Obama/Hillary marriage may not work!

And these auto CEOs! What a disaster! What a shame! No wonder the industry is in deep trouble. I am beginning to think a Chapter 11 bankruptcy is the best solution. Capitalism and religion have similarities. Capitalism has failures and religion has sinners! That simple! Let nature have its way!

59 degrees this morning!!!!!!!!!

Cold! Very cold!

The high today is projected at 66.

I know, I should not complain. Upstate New York is experiencing 25 degree weather and snow!

But complaining is part of my nature. Where justified, of course. And 59 degrees is justifying!

This cold brings to mind experiences of my youth. Youth being during World War II when I was in grammar school.

Washers and dryers as we know them today were non-existant. An Edison had not invented them yet.

Washers were a round metal barrel on legs. Attached on the top on one side were two rollers. The wet clothes were run through the rollers to squeeze the water out of them. The rollers were hand turned. My mother would feed the wet clothes through the rollers with one hand and turn the roller handle with the other.

In spite of this process, the clothes were still wet. They needed to be dried. Dryers were absolutely non existant! I don't think anyone had yet even conceived of them.

So clothes were hung outside to dry. On a clothes line. Every home had a clothes line in back. It generally ran from the back of the house to a tree or pole at the other end of the yard. Women hanging clothes was a common sight. Note I said women. It was a female job in those days.

Clothes were hung out to dry even in the winter. They still had to be dryed!

Recognize it is always cold in the winter in upstate New York where I was raised. I mentioned earlier it is 25 degrees up there this morning. 25 is a relatively warm temperature for upstaters during the winter. The temperature is known to drop for days in the minus column. Like minus 10 or minus 20. Brrrrr!

The cold obviously affected how the clothes would dry. Stiff as a board is the best way to describe it!

I made note of long johns the other day. My mother made me wear long johns in the winter. When I had to put on a clean pair in the morning, the legs and seat were stiff and stuck together. I had to force each foot slowly inside, one foot at a time, pushing against the glued together like material till my leg was completely through. Something like women putting on the rubber playtex girdles of old. The same gyrations!

The fact that they were a bit cold never seemed to bother me. It was the ordeal of getting into them.

I just smiled and laughed to myself. Today not only do we have dryers, we also have softners. What that would have done to the coarseness of the long johns!

I am playing golf today. Always play golf on Wednesday. Back in Utica, my cut off was 50 degrees. I would never play if the temperature was below 50. 59 is pretty close! However we will survive! Complaining, of course, about the weather as we play along.

And best of all, I have a predetermined excuse for playing my usual bad game today. It's cold!

Survive!

Cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A sweatshirt by day! Jeans and a heavy shirt last night!

I never got a Medicare B card. And now my med bills are getting screwed up. I tried to get one over the internet. Difficult! You need a special degree to just to get through the programs.

I did order one over the internet however. Two weeks later I received not a card, but a letter spelling out my coverages. Which seemed to indicate I did in fact have Medicare B. But again no card! And the card was what I had requested! Every doctor, hospital and lab wants your card to copy. If you have only an A card as I have, all explanations that you have B coverage also is in vain. They nod yes, but process wrongly.

The letter said that if I had any questions, I could go directly to the Social Security office in Key West. I need a Medicare B card. So I went yesterday.

It is located in the Federal Building. Even though I am a retired attorney with considerable federal court experience, gaining entrance today is significantly more involved. Like taking an airplane. Big time secuirty. And properly so!

The attendants were all professional. But firm! I had my cell phone on me. No cell phones permitted in a federal building! My option was to return to my car which was parked 5 blocks away to leave it, or turn it off and place it on a flower pot outside the building where both the attendant and I could keep an eye on it through the window. I opted for the flower pot solution.

In the Social Security room, I needed a number. In order to get a number, I first had to answer a question or two on sort of a computer screen.

Turns out I had to prepare an application for a Social Security card. But I already had one! I needed the Medicare B card! However, when in Rome do as the Romans do! The instructions said complete the application and that is what I did.

Then I waited until my number was called. Not bad. About 10 minutes.

The woman taking care of me knew her job well! Probably has been doing it for years. Professional, kind and charming would best describe her.

I told her my problem. I needed a Medicare B card. She said why did I complete the form for a new Social Secuirty card. I said the machine. She nodded I think aknowledging either my frustration or inability to follow directions properly. In all likelihood, I read/followed the computer screen instructions wrongly.

Turns out what I thought was my Social Security card for years was my Medicare A card. So I did need a Social Security card. That she ordered for me.

However she could not order or produce a Medicare B card. She told me that my computer request of several weeks ago blocked her request. However she assured me I should be receiving my Medicare B card in about 2 weeks, together with a Social Security card.
She further advised that the reason I received a letter instead of the card was so I could show it to medical providers in the event I needed coverage. Seems the card goes to an outside vendor for printing and takes extra time.

I thanked the gracious woman. And when I went outside, my cell phone was still sitting on the planter. I looked in the window and waived a thank you to the male attendant who had been keeping an eye on it for me.

The bottom line friends is that the system works. Even though it is somewhat convoluted and confusing!

Stay warm today!

Brrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!Cold this morning!!!!!!!!!!

Whenever it is cold up north, we feel it here in the keys. It is freezing and snowing in upstate New York. Ergo, a 30 mile cold wind here. Coming straight down on us from the north!

I was dead tired yesterday. From the wedding and party at Don's Place the night before, the body machine was run down. I stayed in bed till 4 in the afternoon!

Dinner with Lisa and the family last night. My grandkids are better. Full of energy again!

Robert and Ally go to Montessori. Fundraising comes into play, of course. They were both selling pasta for the school. I ordered enough pasta to last a year!

Dinner was over early. I drove into town and had a drink at Square One. And good conversation with owner Michael Stewart!

Then home to bed well before 8. Wow, what a lazy day!

Cold and windy this morning! 70 degrees. Down from 91 yesterday. A 20 plus degree drop. And it feels it!

The wind is howling! The palm trees are bending. The white caps are large.

The cold spell will be with us for a few days. Long pants time!

Yesterday was big party time! Two of them!

It all started with a wedding. Vicki and Jonathan's wedding.

Jonathan is son to Karen and step son to Aaron.

I love weddings! Every one is so happy!

The ceremony took place on the deck of the Galleon. Beautiful! The couple were wed with the ocean and an occasional sailboat for a background. Then cocktails.

Later there was a dinner at Square One. Good food, good drinks and best of all--good people!

My date was Christine Cardone. Christine is Larry Smith's wife. Larry had to play at the Pier House, so I lucked out. We sat with Linda and Bill Schufer for dinner. What fun!

Then it was off to Don's Place for his Tenth Anniversary Party. Tons of people! Everyone enjoying themselves big time!

Don and his wife Stephanie are two of the best people in Key West. They deserve the success they have achieved. They work hard at the business!

And they remember their customers! Whenever one is sick or hospitalized, Stephanie makes a visit. At Thanksgiving, Stephanie will cook more than 20 turkeys. The Thanksgiving meal will be available at the bar. And for those who are sick, a turkey will be delivered to home or where ever.

As I write this, I am beginning to think Stephanie is more important to the business and works harder than Don. Move over Don! Put up a new sign. Stephanie's Place!

Congrats to both!

Back to the wedding for a moment. After the ceremony, this gentleman came over and started talking with me. He appeared to know me. I had never met him before. No question in my mind. He was sort of spacey in his speech. Goofy would be a more appropriate desciption. A nice guy, however.

Later at the dinner we talked further. He was the same. Had great one liners! But again, goofy.

I later made inquiry as to who he was from one of the other guests.

He is from somewhere in northern Florida. More importantly, several years ago he won one of those multi million dollar lotteries. All alone! No one to share it with.

He can be as goofy as he wants! What does he care! He's happy!

May we all experience that kind of happy!

Wear your long johns when you go out today.

Another beautiful day in Key West! Bright sun! Cool wind!

Last night was brief and relatively quiet.

I started at Keys. Bobby Nesbitt was playing. Always good!

Then on to La trattoria for dinner. Ran into Lee Ann. I have not seen her in a while. I think the last time was at least 6 months ago at a dinner party at her home. Lee Ann's husband was flying in and was late. So she was grabbing a quick bite at the bar.

Today is a big day! Don Manaher's Tenth Anniversary Party at the bar. From 4 to midnight. Everyone welcome! Come! It should be a fun time!

My friend Tino has started a blog: The World According To Gonzalez!http://www.tinogon.blogspot.com/.

Pictures, too! Impressive! His first blog reported on his recent trip to Mexico City. Read it! You will find it interesting!

I am off now to visit the grandkids. I have not seen them in a few days.

Enjoy!

Big time at bocci last night! Super Bowl time! Game of games!

We played Larry Smith's team!

It was a blood match!

We won! Two out of 3 games! We won the first, lost the second and won again in game three.

There is humility in victory! All 3 games were close.

For some reason, Karen did not play. But she was there! With 2 large black pom poms. Jumping and cheering us on! A real inspiration!

The final game was the best! All kinds of excitement.

Jules and I were paired up at our end of the court. Larry and Tino were there also playing against us.

We were whipping their asses in the third game. At one point we were ahead 13-2. How could we lose? We almost did!

At precisely 9:13 when we were ahead 13-5, Larry Smith threw down the challenge. He said to me....."Note the time Petrone! We are coming back and are going to beat you! And I want you to report it in the blog tomorrow!"

Larry's team then scored 8 consecutive unanswered points. The score was tied 13-13. Then we went ahead by 1. Now 14-13. It was up to Jules and me, or Larry and Tino at our end of the court. The pressure was on!

I threw the polina to the right of center about three quarters of the way down. My first ball was right on. Inches in front. Larry and Tino then threw their 4 balls without touching mine. Only 1 point to go! I put my next ball right on the first one! It was over! We won 16-14. And the match with it!

A good game! Lots of fun! Larry and I embraced afterwards. So did Jules and I. I prefer Jules' embrace!

Both teams played well at times. And then poorly at times. But each of us at some point threw spectacular shots.

Larry's ability at bocci wanes as the evening wears on. He drinks beer and it takes its toll by the last game. Knowing this, Rob and I were feeding Larry beers during the evening. Even going to the cooler to get them for him. It did not work! Larry played the best third game of his life!

So there may be no misunderstanding, we all drink during bocci. Everyone does! It is part of the game. I am a gin drinker. Don brought the booze for us last night. The gin bottle only had one drink in it. A tragedy! More to Don and Captain David than I. These two guys think I play better after a couple of drinks! I don't know. Anyhow David jumped in his truck and away he went between games. When he returned, he had a new bottle of gin. It was not really for my personal satisfaction. It was for the game! David and Don are team players!

I should have gone home when the game was over. However, I felt good. I ended up downtown at the new Keys. I sang away and had a few more drinks. Some diet soda.

It was a fun evening! A happy evening! One of those it feels good to be alive times!

Golf yesterday! Bad!

I lost 9 balls again. Three on the first hole.

Fortunately, I was not playing a money game.

Visited the grandkids afterwards. They have been sick. Fevers and coughs. On the mend though. Both should be much better today.

It is amazing. They are sick all the time. Never were till they started pre-school. I am told this is common. They are exposed to all kind of germs from the other kids. Every one gets sick. Supposedly good however since it helps them develop immunities.

Last evening was a routine Wednesday night. Bobby Nesbitt at Aqua and then dinner at the bar at Antonia's. It was and is good to be back and socializing with my Key West friends.

Last night was the first time TK was bartending at Antonia's. So good to see him again. He spent 15 years at Mangos across the street. We talked about Mangos and why I stopped going. He was right. They had an open oven where they made these great small pizzas. Just enough for two. And only $12. New owners took out the oven to get more bar space. And they lost me as a customer as a result!

Time for a haircut again. Some things I do not understand. The less hair I have, the more it has to be cut! I see Lori at 11 this morning.

Tonight bocci! Unquestionably a fun evening ahead!

I play bocci on one of Don Manaher's teams. His bar sponsors 3 teams.

He calls his bar Don's Millionaire Bar. I am not sure why. Either he paid a $1 million for the place
or it is because of the clientle the bar attracts. In any event, it is a great place.

Don is open from 7 am to 4 am. Bars inside and out. He tells me he does his best business from 7 am to 11 am. Calls it the Breakfast Club. They are at the door waiting at 7 am for him to open!

Don is celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of his acquiring the business. The party is this Saturday from 4 pm to midnight. And the whole world is invited! Everyone!

Should be a great party. I am planning on attending. And all of you reading this should come also. Assuming of course you are in the Key West area. It is an open bash! A good time will be had by all!

I am back in Key West! And very shortly this morning I will be playing golf! All good!

I left upstate New York yesterday morning when the temperature was in the low 30s. I arrived in Key West last night when the temperature was in the high 70s. What a difference a day makes!

Flying continues to be interesting. People are not flying. Neither for business nor pleasure.

I went through Newark. A third of the people than normal.

My big plane from Newark was at least a third empty also. The center seats on both sides of the aisle were not occupied.

There are also fewer planes flying. I had an almost 3 hour lay over in Fort Lauderdale because an earlier flight is no longer scheduled.

I recall after 9/11 that the planes and airports were empty. There were few planes even sitting at airports. Almost the same now. Not quite. But getting there.

There was a gentleman seated next to me on the last flight into Key West. The small plane. We landed after sunset. The plane came straight in. He looked out the window, turned around and said to me that he felt like he had landed in Casablanca. I told him a French captain of police would meet him at the gate. Claude Raines, he asked.

I had a quiet dinner at the bar at La Trattoria. It was good to be back in comfortable haunts again!

Busy day yesterday.

Things to do around the house, see my lawyer and accountant, buy my wife a new car and dinner with my father.

Dinner was great! I almost hate to say this. My 94 year old Dad looks the best he has in a long time. We had good talk and good laughs.

It is close to 5 am. I leave at 7:30 for a 50 mile drive to the Syracuse Airport to start my journey back to Key West. That is good also! A return to normalcy!

Still in Utica. Leave tomorrow to return to Key West.

Rainy and cold. In the 40s.

Yesterday was quiet again. But then Sundays always are. However much more quiet here than in Key West.

I read the papers, watched TV and napped off and on all day.

Last night I had dinner at Cavallo's with Gus and Mary. Good to see them again. Friends. Good friends.

Then home to an early bed.

This is Utica!

An exciting day yesterday. I did nothing!

I checked out the house in the morning. Then spent the afternoon visiting with my father. Ate at home in the evening and early to bed.

Cold yesterday. Supposed to get colder today. We dress for the weather. It is strange to wear heavy shoes and socks. As well as long pants, a sweater and jacket. And I am still chilled.

Went to sleep with the fireplace going in the bedroom last night. The chill is a damp one. Difficult to shake off.

Sunday, Sunday! What does today have in store for me?

I am in Utica, New York.

Surprise!

When I awoke yesteray morning, I did not even know I was going to travel. Around 10 am I was checking things out on the computer, and lo and behold, up pops a Continental Airlines special round trip Key West to Syracuse for $303 plus taxes! Cheap cheap!

I booked it! Three hours later I was on the plane!

The recession is obviously affecting the airlines. I flew on a friday. A busy day normally. Businessmen returning home, people leaving on vacations.

Not yesterday! The airports were empty. The planes less than full. My first big plane from Fort Myers to Cleveland had about 30 passangers. And I was worried whether I would get a good seat since I made my reservation so late!

My flight out of Key West to Fort Myers was on Cape Air. A first for me!

The plane was a small 9 seater with one propeller. The nine seats included the co-pilot's. A paying passanger had to sit there. Only one pilot to a flight! The nose was painted like a shark. Reminded me of the Flying Tigers' planes of World War II. John Wayne vintage!

I must admit I had a bit of trepidation as we took off. It was groundless. What a smooth take off. What a great flight! Fifty minutes of absolute joy! Big windows! Panoramic views! Everything good!

It was 70 here when I arrived last night. About the same as Key West. Obviously no snow. Just good northern night air! It is different to the taste and smell. It was nice to experience it again.

On the flight on the little plane out of Key West, there was a relatively young lady. In her mid 30s to mid 40s. She was in a wheel chair. Had difficulty being squeezed into the small plane, let alone the small seat once inside. Then her chair had to be folded and somehow squeezed in also.

It appeared she had muscular dystropy or some related illness. The crunch upped body, the tremors.

She was on the big jet from Fort Myers to Cleveland with me also. I noticed that she was flying with a male companion. They were seated across the aisle from me.

During the 3 hour flight, I noticed how attentive he was to her. Holding her hand. Kissing her. Many times he brushed her lips with his. They were obviously in love. I assumed they had been for a long time. I thought how lucky she was. And even more, how lucky he was.

I don't know what the day will hold. It is gray outside. The temperature is supposed to drop to the low 40s starting today. The trees are either totally stripped of foliage or have a few brown remnants left on them. The ground is covered with leaves.

I see all this out of a bedroom window here which overlooks my immense back yard. Just short of 3 acres. It is like living in the woods.

How lucky I am! In Key West I have the beauty of the ocean outside the window where I do this blog. And here this great forest.

God is good!

I am up early. Dark outside. Black.

Bocci last night! Love the game!

We did not do well. We lost 2 out of 3. All close games

I played in the first 2. The 2 we lost. I made no contribution in the first game. However my ability returned in the second game, though sporadically. We were all off our game. What a far cry from last week!

When games are close, they take forever to play. We were the last match on the court. The place was deserted by the time we finished!

We were defeated at my end of the court by 3 women. Deb is a nurse. Francesca an appraiser. And Gail, I don't know what. Good ladies! They whipped our asses!

That last comment does not sound politically correct. Actually, they beat us!

There is a hurricane threat again. It is called Paloma.

I thought hurricanes were behind us for the year. Generally, we are safe after November 1st. Today is november 8.

Technically the hurricane season runs through November 31. However most of us are comfortable after Novemebr 1. Not this year. No comfort factor today. Any would be false.

The hurricanes generally start off the coast of Africa. Not this one. It is coming up from the western Caribbean. It is presently south of Cuba. Winds are now at 80 miles per hour. That makes it a 1 already. It is projected to cut over the middle of Cuba as a 2 or 3. Then, and the "then" is important, it is supposed to bend east over the Caymans and into the Bahamas.

If such occurs, Paloma will only skirt the keys with its outer edges. We will experience heavy rain which is projected for late tomorrow and through the evening.

I worry. As history proves, hurricane paths can change radically and rapidly.

What is going to be the saving feature for the keys is the big snowstorm now raging in the north central United States. North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota presently are being hit big time with snow. In fact, parts of Minnesota had up to 4 feet during the evening.

The cold spell and winds accompanying that storm are supposed to cut diagonally south east across the country, eventually running over Florida. The cold front is supposed to push hurricane Paloma to the east, thereby avoiding Florida.

I hope so!

The last time we had a November hurricane was 2001. A couple of months after 9/11.

We had planned a big party for a friday or saturday night. Called it Celebrate America! Invited around 200 people. They all came. No one was really concerned about the hurricane. I think it was called Georges.

The morning of the party I called Louie Scarmuzzi. He and his good wife Christine of Great events were in charge of the catering. I said maybe we should cancel. He said "How?" All the food was there at his place. The flowers had been delivered. His position was that if we were going to stay and not leave because of the hurricane, have the party! The major expense had already been incurred! He was correct. So we went ahead with the party.

Two hundred strong! Flags all over the place. A huge one on the front gate. Red, white and blue flowers adorned the house inside and out. Everyone came dressed or decorated patriotically. We all sang God Bless America at one point!

The weather was fantastic! The calm before the storm! Not even the whisper of a breeze.

A terrific party! Every one had a good time!

When I got up the next morning, the TV was blasting about this terrible storm that was going to hit Key West. The wind was picking up. There were white caps on the water. So, I decided to pack up and run. Back north to Utica.

Of course, it was too late to get a flight out of Key West. They had stopped flights the day before. Even before the party.

Lisa was living with us at the time.

I announced we were going! A major proclamation! The issue was how.

We drove north on US 1 to Miami. We left early. It was one way all the way up the keys. We moved right along. When we reached the toll booths in the Miami area, we were moved thru by attendants waving their arms for us not to stop.

Every one and every thing was geared up for the storm!

At the airport I was able to get us reservations out the next morning to Syracuse. We spent the day/evening at the Miami Airport hotel. Not bad.

It was all an experience. Georges hit the keys. I had some damage to my home. But everything gets fixed.

Paloma is coming upon us quickly. I would like to say I am not concerned. However I have been in the keys long enough to know I am and should be. That gnaw is starting in my gut. I will be here the next 48 hours. Hopefully other than a little extra rain, Paloma and Key West will never know each other.

Golf yesterday!

I played well. Finally! I even had 2 pars on the front side. Generally, I score one par every 3 months.

Yankee Jack and I played a match. He is a much better player than I. Or is it me? Whatever!

Anyhow he gave me a stroke a hole, even on the 3s.

I won $7! I played better than normal. Yankee was not quite on his game. That's golf!

As we were leaving the course, Yankee was mumbling......next time no strokes on the 3s! I can never win! I do not understand. When I lose $10-$15, no one talks about extra strokes next week. When I win, which is seldom, it is always less strokes or no more strokes!

Wednesday is Bobby Nesbitt time at Aqua. A pleasure listening to him sing! Bruce Moore joined in on several songs. What power! What range!

Afterwards, dinner at the bar at Antonia's. Tiffany was bartending. Clayton is gone. TK does not start till Saturday.

Tiffany previously bartended at Antonia's for 21 years. A pro! Then she decided she had had it. She wanted to bartend no more. So she quit and ran off to Reno. She returned 6 months later. As a waitress. Her choice. She still wanted a change in her lifestyle. However with Clayton gone, she has volunteered to bartend 2 nights a week. It was a pleasure having her at the bar last night. She is a warm pleasant personality.

Antonia's was packed. They even ran out of snapper.

The boat racers are in town. Cigarette or cigar boats. I am not sure what they call them. Big expensive boats. Go 150 miles plus per hour. The owners and crews are here with their wives and girl friends. Everyone having a big time. Good for them! Good for the town!

It was nice seeing Key West busy.

After dinner I went over to the new Keys. A New York City type cocktail lounge. New singers brought in weekly from New york City. They bartend, wait tables and sing--all at one time!

A new group was in last night. Terrific singers! Talent! And they get the crowd involved. Everyone sings along!

The election is over. It seems to be the calm after the storm. There was little if any talk about it yesterday, all day. No matter where I was. Every one appears happy. But again, no talk. Maybe we are electioned out after 2 years.

Bocci tonight! Can't wait! Love it!

President Obama!

Sounds good! Writes well! Feels better!

I wish him well. We should all offer a prayer for his success. His election has not changed the nature of the road. It is still bumpy. The burden great.

And I am tired! Exhausted! Up till after 2! I do not stay up that late to play!

This morning golf. Prophecy: My game will stink! Excuse: I did not get enough sleep! Will be oh so tired!

In between all the political stuff yesterday, I went over to watch Robert play in his first soccer game. Previous nights have only been practice.

A disaster! He looks good. Runs well. But not after the ball. He is all over the place. Takes everything in. Stops to talk to people. He does not have the concept of the game down yet. He is not focused.

But he is not the only one. Half the team is the same way.

His team won. Robert was thrilled. And that is all that matters!

A great evening last night!

A dinner party at Donna Barnett's!

Donna has achieved the ultimate. A Pearle Mesta of Key West! Her dinner parties are outstanding!

I cannot describe her as THE Pearle Mesta, however. Only because my good friend Linda Schufer throws one hell of a dinner party also! So they are both THE Pearle Mesta's of Key West!

A good dinner party requires both outstanding food and outstanding people. The food last night goes without saying. Good food, great wines.

The guests were the perfect combination, especially for the night before an important election.

I was there. My charm and personality. Written with a coy smile.

Also Lynda and Bob Frechette. Lynda might be best described as the social director of Key West. She writes a great blog about the going ons in town. She and husband Bob are at every event in Key West, sometimes several an evening. Bob is a retired businessman. They are both from somewhere else, but as many of us now claim Key West as their home.

Jerry Coleman and Bruce Moore. These two guys have been partnered for 17 years.

Jerry is the leading land use attorney in the Florida keys. Well respected!

Bruce is a talent! A singer! A performer! Prior to settling in Key West, he appeared on Broadway several times. One of his notable performances was with Tyne Daly in Gypsy. He also has performed big time doing voice overs in Disney films and videos. The likes of Beauty and the Beast and Pocahantis. He now sings locally. You have heard me mention him before. What lungs! His voice fills a room! The kind that gives you chills! That good!

One of my favorite Key West singers was there also. Bobby Nesbitt. Talent of talents! Best of the best!

Bobby was at the party with his partner of 30 years. Michael Mulligan. I had never met Mike before. A real nice guy! Formerly a school teacher, now for many years an actor. All over town. In every quality production. Mike was born and raised in Indiana. My son in law Corey is from Indiana. They are the same. Tough and solid, deep thinking. A nice guy. I enjoyed our conversation during dinner.

And then there was Mary Jo Silva! Everyone loves Mary Jo. I have known her for more than 10 years. A tough intelligent woman of Portugese extraction. Poor Mary Jo has cancer all over. For well over a year. She was not to be here for last Christmas. Looks like she will be here for this Christmas. Complains not. Keeps going. A class act!

And of course the hostest with the mostest! Donna Barnett! She spent all day Sunday getting ready for the party. She had to work 7 to 5 yesterday. You would never know it! Everything was perfection!

The conversation? What else! Politics!

Everyone had already voted. Florida has early voting. Everyone had voted for Obama. Many expressed a concern that he might lose today. Fearful of Republican chicanery. It has been known to happen!

My age is starting to bother me. Some were talking about the first time they voted. The Nixon race in 1968. I remember voting in Nixon/Kennedy in 1960. Of course, I was silent about it. Ah, vanity!

Today represents the most important election in my adult lifetime. No question about it. I believe our people will do the right thing. It is time for the pendulum to swing back. We will know early tonight.

As I was watching the political shows early this morning, I had the feeling something was missing. There was. He was. Tim Russert. May he rest in peace!

Capt. Tony died. Tony Tarracino. At 92.

A Key West icon. A Key west legend.

Word has it that Capt. Tony was a gambler, a skilled charter fisherman, a gunrunner for the Cuban Revolution, a saloonkeeper and untiring ladies man. Allegedly he fathered 13 children with 8 women.

Along the way, he also served as elected Mayor of Key West. He had the necessary ability and experience. And his time as Mayor was a good one for Key West!

Two of Capt. Tony's involvements require special mention.

The first involves Ernest Hemingway. Capt. Tony owned and operated a bar for many years bearing his name. Capt. Tony's. Since sometime in the 1930s. It was the successor to the original Sloppy Joe's, the place where Hemingway penned some of his famous novels while seated at the bar.

The other involves Jimmy Buffett. Buffett used to play guitar and sing his tunes at Capt. Tony's. For a few bucks and a couple of beers. Of course, those were the days when Buffett was a nobody. Just a young kid seeking his way.

Capt. Tony was a well respected member of the Key West family. He will be missed.

Key west is changing. Everything and everyone changes. I doubt there are any more Capt. Tony's here. Perhaps anywhere.

I have decided! The new Keys piano bar is a winner!

I spent some time there last night. My third visit.

The concept is interesting. Talent is imported from New York City. They are here for a short period. They work the bar and wait tables also. And they sing! Great singing!

There were four performers last night. All good. Two outstanding.

Kelly Howe is her name. Youngish, perky, preppy. And beautiful! Both in appearnace and voice.

George Sanders is an absolute nut! A great singer and comedian combined! His voice and antics took us through Naples and Greece and the good ole USA. A talent!

I arrived around 9:30. The place was just filling. By 10 there was not a seat to be had.

I started my evening at Eye Eye Eye. Obviously has to do with optics/glasses. There was a party to introduce new English and Belgian frames. Great looking! Some freaky! None to my taste.

Then to Antonia's for dinner. When I walked in, host Michael Schwartz almost had a heart attack. I did not have a reservation. I always call for a reservation. Last night, I did not. I was not sure where I wanted to eat.

It all worked out however. They threw a table clothe on the floor in the corner. I ate Indian style. No! Ho ho! I sometimes think I am cracking up from this good Key West living!

Antonia's was packed. Many friends. Good talk. And of course, good food!

My friend Clayton the bartender is leaving. Sad! He has been a mainstay at Antonia's for several years. Last night was his last night. He is moving over to Bagatelle's in a mangement position.

Clayton is from New Zealand. Loves it here! Loves it there! A world traveler besides. He even has a place in Dubai.

Good luck, Clayton!

A bartender is a most important position. Especially when you eat so often at the bar as I do. That is what a single does.

Turns out Antonia's already has Clayton's replacement. TK! Yes, TK from Mangos!

TK is the premier bartender in Key West. And the nicest! A great human being! For real!

I first met TK 20 years ago when I started visiting Key West. He has probably worked all the best bars in Key West over the years. It will be good to have him at Antonia's!

I was a stranger in town when I first arrived 20 years ago. Knew no one. You have to know locals to truly enjoy. TK invited me and my family to our first Key West home party. It opened up the town to us. I have never forgotten the invitation and the warm gesture it incorporated.

I am screwed up time wise! We were supposed to turn the clocks back last night. I forgot. Not really. I do not know how. My generation is not mechanically inclined. So I have to wait for Lisa to come over to do it. Thank God the computer self adjusts time wise.

I will be like a kid for next several days adjusting. It's all in the head! But, that's me!

Kurt from Don's Place gave me a book on golf. Kurt is about a 6 handicap. I am a 33. I need help! Actually, I am helpless when it comes to golf!

One of the tips in the book was a man's hemisphere in his head. Apparently men are primarily left hemisphered. The hemisphere depends on what part of the body a man uses. If one is right handed, he is left hemisphered. Women understand these things better than men. It has to do with sensitivity and those sort of things.

Anyhow the book said if one is right handed, he has beeen teeing the ball with his right hand. Switch to the left hand was the suggestion. It will bring the right hemisphere into play and the ball will go longer and straighter.

Anything to improve my game!

I teed the ball on the first hole with my left hand. Very difficult to do if you have been doing it your whole life with the right hand. My hand shook. My body wobbled. I finally got the ball set up.

I hit the longest and straightest drive ever! Holy shit! Was I excited! Wonder of wonders! My game was finally going to improve.

Good luck! That was the last time I got off the tee. I stopped doing it around the 14th hole.

Maybe I require a phsychic. I need my long gone Mother to give me advice.

Today is Sunday. Love Sundays! The papers, Don's Place for pro football watching and dinner with Lisa and the kids.

Enjoy your day. I am going to enjoy mine!

The day was quiet yesterday.

I spent about 3 hours in the morning getting rid of some paper work I had let accumulate. Made myself a light lunch. Then went outside to test the weather.

A cold wind was coming in off the Atlantic. The nor'easter is still with us. However the sun was warm. About 75. So I layed down by the pool on a lounge with my back to the wind. The heat of the sun felt good!

I drifted off. Awoke about 2 hours later. Felt good!

Yesterday was Halloween. People were dressed and out and about last night. Some couples, some families. Terrific costumes! As good as Fantasy Fest! Though I saw no nudity. Halloween is more of a family occasion, I guess.

I started the evening at the new Keys. Still unsure as to whether I like it. Bobby Nesbitt was playing and that is why I was there. He's the best!

Bobby has a significant following. Before long, there were at least 30 locals there enjoying his singing.

My friends Bill and June Hudson showed up. We had a couple of drinks together. He had read my comments concerning him a few days earlier. Laughingly. We spoke more of the election. He and June conceded things do not look good for Mc Cain. Bill said it with sorrow in his eyes. I think his blood runs Republican!

I opted for dinner at the bar at La Trattoria. I walked over. The streets were crowded with costumed people enjoying themselves. Quietly so.

It was the same inside La Trattoria. Many of the diners were in costume, some with their children.

Lovely Beecha was dressed also. As a sultry cat. Even had face whiskers. A beautiful woman with a very gracious personality. As I was having a drink, she came over to give me a hug and peck on the cheek. Made my evening!

A costumed family with a young baby came in. The baby was dressed for Halloween also. Beecha went over and held and played with the baby. Me thinks Beecha is ready for motherhood. I hope she trips upon a nice guy. She is deserving.

One never sits alone for dinner in Key West. There is always someone you know. Sure enough, Marty showed up and sat next to me. Marty has been a court stenographer here in Key West for over 20 years. He still maintains a home in Miami. We enjoyed each other's company. Talked shop. Remember, I am a retired attorney.

Then home to bed, TV and sleep. All before 10! No costume, no trick or treating, no candy.

Lisa just telephoned me. My grandkids made me up a basket of goodies from their trick or treating last night. I am to go over and pick it up today. So all was not lost! The child in me will be satiated today!