A great day yesterday!
Started with golf in the morning.
I played wuth Yankee Jack and Aaron. Yankee and I played a money game. Mano, mano! Yankee is a much better golfer than I am. Most people are! Anyhow, I wanted 2 strokes on the 6 high handicap holes and 1 on the rest, except for the 3s. Yankee said no. We compromised on 1 stroke a hole on all the holes, including the 3s.
I played my usual suck game on the front nine. Ended up with a 59. However I hung in there with Yankee and we were all even at the end of 9.
I was relieved!
Then came the back 9. I played the best golf in years on the back 9. Shot a 47! I have not broken 50 in about 8 years. Wild!
Even had 2 pars. One of the 3s and the 18th. The 18th hole is the number 1 handicap hole. A long par 5. I pared it! Was on in 4 and sunk a log curling 35 foot putt!
I won all 9 holes on the back side!
Wowie! Won $7! The money meant nothing! The score was everything!
And Yankee was a gentleman as usual and happy for me!
Last night started with Bobby Nesbitt at Aqua. Such a voice! Enjoyed his singing while socializing with several friends.
Afterwards, I met Marty for dinner at the outside bar at La Te Da. A good meal. Tonto was bartending. She is already a Key West icon.
Then across the street to the Keys Piano Bar. Friend Terri White was singing.
Such singing! Her voice is strong and vibrant. And polished! Her many years of professional engagement comes through with every note.
Terri and Mark Watson did a duet. A love ballad. Touching! Brought tears to my eyes!
That was my day! Great golf, great music and great friends! Life is good!
Tonight bocci! The final match in our 4 team round robin. A money game! The money game! For all the marbles! Winner takes all!
We are playing Larry Smith's team. Competitors all, especially Larry. We beat them last year in a similar encounter. I hope the trend continues into this evening's match. I am ready. My team mates are ready.
Enjoy!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Bad day yesterday! I was tired all day!
I played the good neighbor yesterday morning by taking a friend to the airport. I had to get up at 4 am!
I spent a part of the morning at Borders. Started reading a book on Harry Truman. His people left Kentucky in the early to mid 1800s and traveled by covered wagon and boat to the western part of Missouri. Missouri was the "far west" in those the days! The outer limit of civilization!
That is as far as I got. 28 pages! I was falling asleep!
So home I went and climbed in bed. Stayed there all day and night. Slept on and off. Followed by a good night's sleep!
That was my exciting day in Paradise yesterday!
This morning golf! I am ready! No excuses!
I played the good neighbor yesterday morning by taking a friend to the airport. I had to get up at 4 am!
I spent a part of the morning at Borders. Started reading a book on Harry Truman. His people left Kentucky in the early to mid 1800s and traveled by covered wagon and boat to the western part of Missouri. Missouri was the "far west" in those the days! The outer limit of civilization!
That is as far as I got. 28 pages! I was falling asleep!
So home I went and climbed in bed. Stayed there all day and night. Slept on and off. Followed by a good night's sleep!
That was my exciting day in Paradise yesterday!
This morning golf! I am ready! No excuses!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
I have been up since 4 am. I opted to be a good neighbor and drive a friend to the airport this morning to catch a 6 am flight.
It is awful quiet that early in the morning. Little traffic. No people. Just you and the dark.
I had lunch yesterday at the Shrimp Shack.
The Shrimp Shack is a relatively new eating place. Been open about a year. It is located on Stock Island at the end of the road where Hogfish is located.
Nothing fancy. Really a fresh fish store with a few picnic type tables on the dock in the back.
The food is good and cheap! I had fish and chips. Large chunks of snapper quickly deep fried. Thick cuts of potato overly salted. Spectacular taste!
The unique feature of the Shrimp Shack is that it sits right on the shrimp boat docks. Yesterday at lunch time there were about a dozen shrimp boats tied up.
Key West had a huge shrimp industry at the turn of the century. Two turns back! Around 1900, not 2000. It has fallen off. However a shrimp business still exists as is evident by the large number of shrimp boats that still fish off our docks.
A shrimp boat is a strange looking duck! Generally constructed of wood, looks like a stunted barge to me.
The thing that makes a shrimp boat quickly and easily identifiable are the nets which hang out from the sides. These nets are huge and rigged in such fashion that they hang tall from the sides of the boat. Much like the head pieces the Sisters of Charity who taught me in high school wore.
The shrimp boats generally go out a week at a time. They fish by day or by night, depending on the type of shrimp to be caught. Shrimp are genrally of three kinds. Color is the determining factor. They are brown, white and pink.
Chum is thrown in the water. Chum is mucked up garbage fish. It is mixed with clay. The chum/clay mixture settles on the bottom. Shrimp in mass are attracted to the chum. The shrimp boats trawl and cast out their nets. The nets are weighted. They settle to the bottom and scoop up hundreds of shrimp at a time as the shrimp boat moves along.
Tough work! Tough people work at shrimping! They are all deeply tanned and weathered and worn appearing.
In my simple way, I have had limited experience with shrimp boats. Permit me to share a few as I recall them.
Shrimp boats are lovely to look at! From a distance! Their nets flying, a sight to behold! Up close they look like the men who operate them. Weathered and worn!
Forrest Gump was a great movie! Tom Hanks won an academy award for his performance. Remember how Forrest Gump made his fortune? Shrimping off the Louisiana coast!
In the late 1940s when I was a young teenager, one of the hits songs was Shrimp Boats. One of the lines was..."shrimp boats are acoming, there sails are in sight!" The sails were the nets standing tall on each side of a boat.
Shrimping in the Key West area takes place on the Atlantic side. The shrimp boats go way out to find the shrimp beds. If a storm is imminent, the shrimp boats come in. You can see 20 of them at a time on the Smathers Beach horizon returning to shore. A lovely sight!
What never ceases to amaze me is that the shrimp boats can sense a pending storm before it even hits. Every time I have seen the boats returning, the weather has been fantastic! Sunny and warm! Yet a couple of hours later we would be pounded with heavy rain and wind.
All this you have been subjected to because I went to the Shrimp shack for lunch yesterday!
Dinner was quiet last night. Ate with Lisa and the family. Played cards with the grandkids. Lost again!
Enjoy your day!
It is awful quiet that early in the morning. Little traffic. No people. Just you and the dark.
I had lunch yesterday at the Shrimp Shack.
The Shrimp Shack is a relatively new eating place. Been open about a year. It is located on Stock Island at the end of the road where Hogfish is located.
Nothing fancy. Really a fresh fish store with a few picnic type tables on the dock in the back.
The food is good and cheap! I had fish and chips. Large chunks of snapper quickly deep fried. Thick cuts of potato overly salted. Spectacular taste!
The unique feature of the Shrimp Shack is that it sits right on the shrimp boat docks. Yesterday at lunch time there were about a dozen shrimp boats tied up.
Key West had a huge shrimp industry at the turn of the century. Two turns back! Around 1900, not 2000. It has fallen off. However a shrimp business still exists as is evident by the large number of shrimp boats that still fish off our docks.
A shrimp boat is a strange looking duck! Generally constructed of wood, looks like a stunted barge to me.
The thing that makes a shrimp boat quickly and easily identifiable are the nets which hang out from the sides. These nets are huge and rigged in such fashion that they hang tall from the sides of the boat. Much like the head pieces the Sisters of Charity who taught me in high school wore.
The shrimp boats generally go out a week at a time. They fish by day or by night, depending on the type of shrimp to be caught. Shrimp are genrally of three kinds. Color is the determining factor. They are brown, white and pink.
Chum is thrown in the water. Chum is mucked up garbage fish. It is mixed with clay. The chum/clay mixture settles on the bottom. Shrimp in mass are attracted to the chum. The shrimp boats trawl and cast out their nets. The nets are weighted. They settle to the bottom and scoop up hundreds of shrimp at a time as the shrimp boat moves along.
Tough work! Tough people work at shrimping! They are all deeply tanned and weathered and worn appearing.
In my simple way, I have had limited experience with shrimp boats. Permit me to share a few as I recall them.
Shrimp boats are lovely to look at! From a distance! Their nets flying, a sight to behold! Up close they look like the men who operate them. Weathered and worn!
Forrest Gump was a great movie! Tom Hanks won an academy award for his performance. Remember how Forrest Gump made his fortune? Shrimping off the Louisiana coast!
In the late 1940s when I was a young teenager, one of the hits songs was Shrimp Boats. One of the lines was..."shrimp boats are acoming, there sails are in sight!" The sails were the nets standing tall on each side of a boat.
Shrimping in the Key West area takes place on the Atlantic side. The shrimp boats go way out to find the shrimp beds. If a storm is imminent, the shrimp boats come in. You can see 20 of them at a time on the Smathers Beach horizon returning to shore. A lovely sight!
What never ceases to amaze me is that the shrimp boats can sense a pending storm before it even hits. Every time I have seen the boats returning, the weather has been fantastic! Sunny and warm! Yet a couple of hours later we would be pounded with heavy rain and wind.
All this you have been subjected to because I went to the Shrimp shack for lunch yesterday!
Dinner was quiet last night. Ate with Lisa and the family. Played cards with the grandkids. Lost again!
Enjoy your day!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Good morning world!
I slept late! Good!
The sun is up. Another beautiful day in the making.
The swine flu is all over the news. Could be big time serious! The government seems to be on top of it. There apparently are 50 million shots available here in the United States. Not enough for all of us. So the manufacturers better get busy turning out more! Like yesterday!
There have been two previous flu epedemics of consequence. One in 1918 and the other in the mid 1970s.
The 1918 one was disastrous! Millions died world wide!
My grandfather Louis was a young married man and father of seven at the time. He and my grandmother Albina were immigrants from Italy. My grandfather got the flu. A death knell in the making!
My grandmother prayed. To two saints. Saints Cosmo and Damien. Both were doctors in Italy sometime in the historical past. They apparently suffered for their religion. And died!
Cosmo and Damien may have been born in whatever provinces my grandparents originated from. Not only my grandparents, but also many other Italian immigrants living in Utica at the time. There was much reverence for these two saints. In fact, an annual festival was held each year. Bands, parades, food and the like in honor of these two saints.
On the final day of the festival, a several mile procession was held. Statues of the two saints were carried on the shoulders of the young men. Long lines of men and women marched single file behind the saints carrying candles and singing religious songs. The candles were especially huge. Two or three feet in length and 2-3 inches wide.
My grandmother was afraid my grandfather would die from the flu. She prayed to Saints Cosmo and Damien and promised that if he survived, she would walk in the procession in their honor every year. Barfefoot!
Grandfather made it! And grandmother marched every year in her bare feet carrying a huge candle in honor of the saints who she believed saved my grandfather's life!
Not easy on her feet! Sore and a bit bloody! But she hung in there and did it for many a year!
And so did I!
I recall as a young boy, walking beside her in the procession and carrying a smaller candle.
I loved my grandparents. They were the best! My grandmother was a special person. She did what she thought was right and proper to save my grandfather and ultimately the family. She prayed! And then did not forget! This was no battlefield foxhole conversion for her. She met her obligation each year thereafter by making the walk described honoring the two saints.
Sunday, Sunday! Love Sundays! A do nothing day!
I bought a bunch of Sunday papers and went to Martin's for brunch. Sat in the back outside and read and picked. Even had a Bloody Mary! First one in years! Went well with the eggs benedict weinerschnitzel! Only in America!
Last night I had dinner with Lisa and the family. Love the grandkids! Robert and Ally wanted to play cards. Card playing is the in thing right now!
We played crazy 8s. Turned out to be a long game. Ally beat Robert and I decisively! I should have had a camera at the moment of her victory to record the proud look on her beaming face!
Grandchildren are good! I wish every one grandchildren!
Have a good day!
I slept late! Good!
The sun is up. Another beautiful day in the making.
The swine flu is all over the news. Could be big time serious! The government seems to be on top of it. There apparently are 50 million shots available here in the United States. Not enough for all of us. So the manufacturers better get busy turning out more! Like yesterday!
There have been two previous flu epedemics of consequence. One in 1918 and the other in the mid 1970s.
The 1918 one was disastrous! Millions died world wide!
My grandfather Louis was a young married man and father of seven at the time. He and my grandmother Albina were immigrants from Italy. My grandfather got the flu. A death knell in the making!
My grandmother prayed. To two saints. Saints Cosmo and Damien. Both were doctors in Italy sometime in the historical past. They apparently suffered for their religion. And died!
Cosmo and Damien may have been born in whatever provinces my grandparents originated from. Not only my grandparents, but also many other Italian immigrants living in Utica at the time. There was much reverence for these two saints. In fact, an annual festival was held each year. Bands, parades, food and the like in honor of these two saints.
On the final day of the festival, a several mile procession was held. Statues of the two saints were carried on the shoulders of the young men. Long lines of men and women marched single file behind the saints carrying candles and singing religious songs. The candles were especially huge. Two or three feet in length and 2-3 inches wide.
My grandmother was afraid my grandfather would die from the flu. She prayed to Saints Cosmo and Damien and promised that if he survived, she would walk in the procession in their honor every year. Barfefoot!
Grandfather made it! And grandmother marched every year in her bare feet carrying a huge candle in honor of the saints who she believed saved my grandfather's life!
Not easy on her feet! Sore and a bit bloody! But she hung in there and did it for many a year!
And so did I!
I recall as a young boy, walking beside her in the procession and carrying a smaller candle.
I loved my grandparents. They were the best! My grandmother was a special person. She did what she thought was right and proper to save my grandfather and ultimately the family. She prayed! And then did not forget! This was no battlefield foxhole conversion for her. She met her obligation each year thereafter by making the walk described honoring the two saints.
Sunday, Sunday! Love Sundays! A do nothing day!
I bought a bunch of Sunday papers and went to Martin's for brunch. Sat in the back outside and read and picked. Even had a Bloody Mary! First one in years! Went well with the eggs benedict weinerschnitzel! Only in America!
Last night I had dinner with Lisa and the family. Love the grandkids! Robert and Ally wanted to play cards. Card playing is the in thing right now!
We played crazy 8s. Turned out to be a long game. Ally beat Robert and I decisively! I should have had a camera at the moment of her victory to record the proud look on her beaming face!
Grandchildren are good! I wish every one grandchildren!
Have a good day!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Key West is busy this weekend.
Normal that weekends are busy this time of year. Yes, the tourist season is over. Business is poor during the week. However on weekends the town is packed. The visitors are from the north. Except they are Floridians. People from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and other places to the immediate north. They drive. No plane fares to deal with. Prices for lodging and food are slashed. Bargains are in the air! And south Floridians properly take advantavge of them every year at this time!
My Saturday was a solid one. I did it in Key West time as my friend Howard Livingston would say.
I walked in the morning. Did coffee and read the papers at the Coffee House on Duval. Lunched at Paradise Cafe. Watched golf in the afternoon on TV.
I love to go to the movies. However I rarely go. I dislike going alone. I guess I need someone to hold the popcorn!
Last night I said the hell with it and went. Saw State of Play. A good political/newspaper flick with Ben Afflick and Russell Crowe. Fast moving and exciting. Thought provoking.
Crowe was terrific! Could be an academy award nomination in it for him.
Afterwards I drove into town and went to the Keys Piano Bar. Terri White was scheduled to sing. Floridians and locals alike packed the place.
It was good to see Terri and Donna again. It has been a few days. Terri looks trerrific. Her recent Broadway success is evident. She walks a little taller. Head high. Radiates. We will be losing her in the fall when the full Broadway production of Finian's Rainbow begins.
The only negative yesterday was I screwed up with my drinking. Two before the movie and two later in the evening at the Keys Piano Bar. Such is life! A saint I am not!
The weather continues to be fantastic. Around 85 by day. There continues to be a strong wind off the Atlantic. About 30 miles per hour. Into its second week. Strange. People are talking about it. Whatever, it keeps 85 cool.
Enjoy!
Normal that weekends are busy this time of year. Yes, the tourist season is over. Business is poor during the week. However on weekends the town is packed. The visitors are from the north. Except they are Floridians. People from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and other places to the immediate north. They drive. No plane fares to deal with. Prices for lodging and food are slashed. Bargains are in the air! And south Floridians properly take advantavge of them every year at this time!
My Saturday was a solid one. I did it in Key West time as my friend Howard Livingston would say.
I walked in the morning. Did coffee and read the papers at the Coffee House on Duval. Lunched at Paradise Cafe. Watched golf in the afternoon on TV.
I love to go to the movies. However I rarely go. I dislike going alone. I guess I need someone to hold the popcorn!
Last night I said the hell with it and went. Saw State of Play. A good political/newspaper flick with Ben Afflick and Russell Crowe. Fast moving and exciting. Thought provoking.
Crowe was terrific! Could be an academy award nomination in it for him.
Afterwards I drove into town and went to the Keys Piano Bar. Terri White was scheduled to sing. Floridians and locals alike packed the place.
It was good to see Terri and Donna again. It has been a few days. Terri looks trerrific. Her recent Broadway success is evident. She walks a little taller. Head high. Radiates. We will be losing her in the fall when the full Broadway production of Finian's Rainbow begins.
The only negative yesterday was I screwed up with my drinking. Two before the movie and two later in the evening at the Keys Piano Bar. Such is life! A saint I am not!
The weather continues to be fantastic. Around 85 by day. There continues to be a strong wind off the Atlantic. About 30 miles per hour. Into its second week. Strange. People are talking about it. Whatever, it keeps 85 cool.
Enjoy!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Work by day and fun by night yesterday.
Physical labor of any kind has never been my forte. I have avoided it like the plague my whole life. Yesterday for some reason I decided to get physical.
I have a 20 x 40 foot deck on the second floor outside my bedroom. It is tiled and has plants. The plants were getting overgrown and the tile had that typical Key West salt buildup.
So I hosed and scrubbed down the tiles. Then I attacked the greenry. Pulled weeds and the like.
I observed the gutters were plugging with leaves and whatever. So I climbed over the railing, hung by one hand and cleaned with the other. How stupid! One slip and I would have fallen and broke an arm or leg or something worse!
This morning my back aches and my ass is dragging. So much for physical labor!
My daughter Lori has been in town the past few days visiting. Son in law Allen and grandson Andrew were with her also.
Lori is an attorney now running my former law firm in Utica, NY with her brother John. A lovely girl! Now obviously a lady! But to me always a girl, my little girl!
She, too, married late in life for the first time. Ergo had a child immediately. Grandson Andrew is now 7 and in the first grade.
My son in law Allen is a gem. His second marriage. He is now in his early to mid 50s. Has 2 grown children from his previous marriage. A son who recently graduated from college and a daughter in college. Allen travels big time. All over the world. He is a senior vice president with a major medical supply manufacturer. He just returned from a week in Germany last Friday. Flew to Key west this week. Flies back to Utica today. Leaves Monday for Germany again for 10 days.
I don't know how he does it!
We had dinner together last night at La Trattoria. Seven year old Andrew and I sat next to each other.
Andrew is smart!
He had some sort of computerized game he was playing. He tried to explain it to me. Good luck! I cannot even rest my watch yet for the time change of 3 weeks ago! I have to mentally add an hour every time I look at it!
The game was in French. Andrew speaks and understands French! He studied it at Montessori school up north. And he also has visited Paris 3 or 4 times already in his short lifetime.
Allen lived in Paris for 2 years way back working for his company. He still does a significnat amount of business in France. Daughter Lori has always loved France. In fact, when they married she wanted the ceremony under the Eiffel Tower! I was not for the idea. Thought a Paris wedding would be too expensive. So the compromise was a wedding on the beach and then a reception at the Casa Marina here in Key West. Black tie. Lovely! Best wedding I ever attended! Cost me over $100,000. I could have had it in Paris!
They leave at 6:30 this morning. They are probably seated on their plane right now waiting to take off. A safe journey to them!
Today is Saturday. What will I do? Don't know. One thing is certain however, no more cleaning/physical stuff for me!
Physical labor of any kind has never been my forte. I have avoided it like the plague my whole life. Yesterday for some reason I decided to get physical.
I have a 20 x 40 foot deck on the second floor outside my bedroom. It is tiled and has plants. The plants were getting overgrown and the tile had that typical Key West salt buildup.
So I hosed and scrubbed down the tiles. Then I attacked the greenry. Pulled weeds and the like.
I observed the gutters were plugging with leaves and whatever. So I climbed over the railing, hung by one hand and cleaned with the other. How stupid! One slip and I would have fallen and broke an arm or leg or something worse!
This morning my back aches and my ass is dragging. So much for physical labor!
My daughter Lori has been in town the past few days visiting. Son in law Allen and grandson Andrew were with her also.
Lori is an attorney now running my former law firm in Utica, NY with her brother John. A lovely girl! Now obviously a lady! But to me always a girl, my little girl!
She, too, married late in life for the first time. Ergo had a child immediately. Grandson Andrew is now 7 and in the first grade.
My son in law Allen is a gem. His second marriage. He is now in his early to mid 50s. Has 2 grown children from his previous marriage. A son who recently graduated from college and a daughter in college. Allen travels big time. All over the world. He is a senior vice president with a major medical supply manufacturer. He just returned from a week in Germany last Friday. Flew to Key west this week. Flies back to Utica today. Leaves Monday for Germany again for 10 days.
I don't know how he does it!
We had dinner together last night at La Trattoria. Seven year old Andrew and I sat next to each other.
Andrew is smart!
He had some sort of computerized game he was playing. He tried to explain it to me. Good luck! I cannot even rest my watch yet for the time change of 3 weeks ago! I have to mentally add an hour every time I look at it!
The game was in French. Andrew speaks and understands French! He studied it at Montessori school up north. And he also has visited Paris 3 or 4 times already in his short lifetime.
Allen lived in Paris for 2 years way back working for his company. He still does a significnat amount of business in France. Daughter Lori has always loved France. In fact, when they married she wanted the ceremony under the Eiffel Tower! I was not for the idea. Thought a Paris wedding would be too expensive. So the compromise was a wedding on the beach and then a reception at the Casa Marina here in Key West. Black tie. Lovely! Best wedding I ever attended! Cost me over $100,000. I could have had it in Paris!
They leave at 6:30 this morning. They are probably seated on their plane right now waiting to take off. A safe journey to them!
Today is Saturday. What will I do? Don't know. One thing is certain however, no more cleaning/physical stuff for me!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Last night was a big night in bocci!
We had to win! A side money match!
We won! Ho, ho, ho!
We had not won even 1 game in the last 8 weeks. We are the cellar team this season. The worst of the worst. However, last night we rose to the occasion.
We won the first game decisively.
The second we won also. But it was a squeeker! We won 16-15.
We all played well. Even me! I was deadly in the first game. Good in the second game till the end when I faltered. Badly! Made 2 very bad shots when the chips were down and we were behind 15-14. My partner was Rob. He came through! Made 2 very outstanding shots and we won!
I could not stay for the third game so I am unaware of its outcome. Not important, however. We only needed to win 2 out of 3 which we accomplished by winning the first two games.
There is one match left in our side bet 4 team tournament. It is next week. It is for all the marbles! Going to be fun!
Another nice day in the making here in Key West! I watched the sun come up this morning. A bright orange ball breaking over the water!
Enjoy your day!
We had to win! A side money match!
We won! Ho, ho, ho!
We had not won even 1 game in the last 8 weeks. We are the cellar team this season. The worst of the worst. However, last night we rose to the occasion.
We won the first game decisively.
The second we won also. But it was a squeeker! We won 16-15.
We all played well. Even me! I was deadly in the first game. Good in the second game till the end when I faltered. Badly! Made 2 very bad shots when the chips were down and we were behind 15-14. My partner was Rob. He came through! Made 2 very outstanding shots and we won!
I could not stay for the third game so I am unaware of its outcome. Not important, however. We only needed to win 2 out of 3 which we accomplished by winning the first two games.
There is one match left in our side bet 4 team tournament. It is next week. It is for all the marbles! Going to be fun!
Another nice day in the making here in Key West! I watched the sun come up this morning. A bright orange ball breaking over the water!
Enjoy your day!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
There was a quiet that hung over us as we arrived to play golf yesterday morning.
The normal banter and kidding each other was not there.
The cause was Linda's death. An unspoken thing as we gathered to divide into teams and go forth to play.
Once play commenced, everything fell into its normal routine. I played with Don, Tino and Michael. I finally had a good day at golf! Was the big winner! Proud was I! All of $9!
The custom is that the winner buys drinks. Normally the winner walks away with around $20. Drinks cost me $7.50. Without tip! So my better game yesterday ended up costing me money! I did not care! I was thrilled to have finally played well again!
We sat around on the porch of the club house drinking and talking after golf. About 10 of us. The ice was finally broken. Some one mentioned Linda's name. And then in varying degrees every one spoke of and about her. Some even shed a tear or two.
I was watching one of the TV talk shows last night. Alex Kerensky's name was mentioned. In what context, I am not sure as I was half asleep. And I find no mention of him in news reports on the internet this morning.
Let me tell you a bit about Alex Kerensky.
He was the first President of free Russia.
At the time of the Tsar's abdication in 1917, the Russian people were divided into two groups. The White Russians and the Red Russians. The good guys and the bad guys as it turned out.
Kerensky was the leader of the White Russians. His presidency lasted about 8 months. There was a civil war and the Reds beat the Whites. The Reds were the beginning of the Russian communists as we have come to know them. The Reds were ideologically led by Lenin. From the Reds ultimately came Stalin.
Keresnsky, overthrown by the Reds, had to to flee Russia to save his life.
He ultimately settled in New York City and eventualy became a Professor at Columbia University.
I attended Manhattan College in New York City. Columbia and Manhattan are on the Seventh Ave subway line. Columbia at 116th Street and Manhattan at 242nd Street.
Kerensky agreed to be a visiting professor at Manhatttan College for one semester. To teach Russian history covering the 20 years from 1898 to 1918. The 20 years leading up to the Russian revolution and the revolution itself. He rode the subway 2 times a week from Columbia to Manhattan and back to teach the course.
The class was limited. About 20 persons. I was lucky to get into it! I was excited to take the course. I was a history major and what could be better than to take a course from an individual who had actually lived the material he was teaching!
The course was fantastic! Wild! Overwhelming at times if you were a history freak as I was. Here was a man who led the revolution! And a man who understood the consequences of communism. Recognize that I was taking this course around 1955, a time when the United States and Russia were in deep conflict. The threat of actual war hung over us. About this same time Kruschev, the then Russian leader, took his shoe off at the United Nations, slammed it on a desk and told the world Russia was going to bury the United States. The conflict was reality!
Kerensky was distinguished appearing. He had presence. Soft spoken. If I had to compare him physically to someone, I would say he looked like a white haired Jack Kennedy.
Tonight bocci! A big match! For the money, as the saying goes!
I hope my golf streak continues into the bocci matches!
The normal banter and kidding each other was not there.
The cause was Linda's death. An unspoken thing as we gathered to divide into teams and go forth to play.
Once play commenced, everything fell into its normal routine. I played with Don, Tino and Michael. I finally had a good day at golf! Was the big winner! Proud was I! All of $9!
The custom is that the winner buys drinks. Normally the winner walks away with around $20. Drinks cost me $7.50. Without tip! So my better game yesterday ended up costing me money! I did not care! I was thrilled to have finally played well again!
We sat around on the porch of the club house drinking and talking after golf. About 10 of us. The ice was finally broken. Some one mentioned Linda's name. And then in varying degrees every one spoke of and about her. Some even shed a tear or two.
I was watching one of the TV talk shows last night. Alex Kerensky's name was mentioned. In what context, I am not sure as I was half asleep. And I find no mention of him in news reports on the internet this morning.
Let me tell you a bit about Alex Kerensky.
He was the first President of free Russia.
At the time of the Tsar's abdication in 1917, the Russian people were divided into two groups. The White Russians and the Red Russians. The good guys and the bad guys as it turned out.
Kerensky was the leader of the White Russians. His presidency lasted about 8 months. There was a civil war and the Reds beat the Whites. The Reds were the beginning of the Russian communists as we have come to know them. The Reds were ideologically led by Lenin. From the Reds ultimately came Stalin.
Keresnsky, overthrown by the Reds, had to to flee Russia to save his life.
He ultimately settled in New York City and eventualy became a Professor at Columbia University.
I attended Manhattan College in New York City. Columbia and Manhattan are on the Seventh Ave subway line. Columbia at 116th Street and Manhattan at 242nd Street.
Kerensky agreed to be a visiting professor at Manhatttan College for one semester. To teach Russian history covering the 20 years from 1898 to 1918. The 20 years leading up to the Russian revolution and the revolution itself. He rode the subway 2 times a week from Columbia to Manhattan and back to teach the course.
The class was limited. About 20 persons. I was lucky to get into it! I was excited to take the course. I was a history major and what could be better than to take a course from an individual who had actually lived the material he was teaching!
The course was fantastic! Wild! Overwhelming at times if you were a history freak as I was. Here was a man who led the revolution! And a man who understood the consequences of communism. Recognize that I was taking this course around 1955, a time when the United States and Russia were in deep conflict. The threat of actual war hung over us. About this same time Kruschev, the then Russian leader, took his shoe off at the United Nations, slammed it on a desk and told the world Russia was going to bury the United States. The conflict was reality!
Kerensky was distinguished appearing. He had presence. Soft spoken. If I had to compare him physically to someone, I would say he looked like a white haired Jack Kennedy.
Tonight bocci! A big match! For the money, as the saying goes!
I hope my golf streak continues into the bocci matches!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Linda Schrufer died Sunday night.
Sad. Very sad. I feel terrible.
She was a dear friend. A true friend.
I first met Linda and her husband Bill about 10 years ago. About the time I bought my home here in Key West. Linda and Bill were from Reading, Pa. They wintered here. They were for real snowbirds.
Home in Key West was a lovely condominium in Truman annex. Linda furnished it tastefully. It was a bright colorful place. Vibrant! Just as Linda was!
Linda enjoyed entertaining. She was the hostess with the mostest! The Pearle Mesta of Key West! The food and drink were always good. Her mixture of guests superb.
Linda was loyal. Or maybe she just liked collecting stray cats. When I first met her and Bill, I was living with my wife. Since that time, we have separated. This was no problem for Linda. She continued to invite me to her home and out to dinner. Something most others failed to do. My being a single instead of a double did not affect her relationship with me in any way. In fact, as I think about it, Linda was sort of a collector of sad souls. Many times there was a widow or widower in her company.
Good of heart might also be used to describe Linda! I remember when my daughter Lisa was about to marry. Linda threw her a lovely shower. Though genrations apart, it made Linda and Lisa's relationship forever special.
Linda's charity here in Key West was the Red Barn theatre. She was a fund raiser supreme! How could any one say no to her charming smile! A generous heart in her own right to whom generosity returned.
Linda, we are all a bit less now that you are gone. You are already missed by all who knew you. You touched each of us.
Last night I searched the heavens looking for that bright new star. I know you are there somewhere!
One final thought. When you are scurrying around in Heaven, you will probably be inviting the Lord over to dinner. He's a single!
Pax.
Sad. Very sad. I feel terrible.
She was a dear friend. A true friend.
I first met Linda and her husband Bill about 10 years ago. About the time I bought my home here in Key West. Linda and Bill were from Reading, Pa. They wintered here. They were for real snowbirds.
Home in Key West was a lovely condominium in Truman annex. Linda furnished it tastefully. It was a bright colorful place. Vibrant! Just as Linda was!
Linda enjoyed entertaining. She was the hostess with the mostest! The Pearle Mesta of Key West! The food and drink were always good. Her mixture of guests superb.
Linda was loyal. Or maybe she just liked collecting stray cats. When I first met her and Bill, I was living with my wife. Since that time, we have separated. This was no problem for Linda. She continued to invite me to her home and out to dinner. Something most others failed to do. My being a single instead of a double did not affect her relationship with me in any way. In fact, as I think about it, Linda was sort of a collector of sad souls. Many times there was a widow or widower in her company.
Good of heart might also be used to describe Linda! I remember when my daughter Lisa was about to marry. Linda threw her a lovely shower. Though genrations apart, it made Linda and Lisa's relationship forever special.
Linda's charity here in Key West was the Red Barn theatre. She was a fund raiser supreme! How could any one say no to her charming smile! A generous heart in her own right to whom generosity returned.
Linda, we are all a bit less now that you are gone. You are already missed by all who knew you. You touched each of us.
Last night I searched the heavens looking for that bright new star. I know you are there somewhere!
One final thought. When you are scurrying around in Heaven, you will probably be inviting the Lord over to dinner. He's a single!
Pax.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The lead article in Sunday's Key West Citizen was that the Steamplant condominiums were nearing completetion and would be open in 90 days. More importantly, 14 of the 19 units were already contracted for and closing merely awaited final inspection and the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
Congratulations to developer Ed Swift! In spite of unanticpated setbacks, you hung in there! And made it to the finish line!
Key West has two business persons of vision. Individuals who see where Key West's future lies and are not afraid to take it there.
I speak of Ed Swift and Robert Spottswood.
Swift with the Steamplant and other projects. Spottswood with the Beachside complex at the entrance to Key West, as well as his many other developments.
Both men put their money where there mouths are, so to speak. However in these instances even their private fortunes were not enough to cover the investments involved. They extended themselves in each instance for a dream. And after anguish and pain and an unexpected falling economy, each is on the road to success. Success not only for themselves, but for all of Key West.
Good men, indeed!
My son in law is Corey Malcom. Lisa married a great guy!
Corey is originally from Indiana. He has that mid west solidness about him.
There is no ocean any where around Indiana. But there was a magnetism attracting him to the waters. Corey for more than 25 years has been the Chief Archeologist at the Mel Fisher Museum. He dives for a living searching for pieces of history on the ocean floor.
Corey has developed a specialty. Slave ships! He is probably the most learned man in the United States on the subject. He appears 3-4 times a year on the History Channel, has written several articles on various slave issues and is an invited guest speaker nationwide.
My son in law, Corey!
One of Key West's local newspapers is Solares Hill. In the publication which came out yesterday, there was a brief comment on page 2 that Corey had written an article for the Florida Keys Sea Heritage Journal, the official publication of the Key West Maritime Historical Society. The article basically concerned itrself with pre Civil War slaves being transported to Cuba who had been saved by US forces and were returned to Liberia in Africa.
An interesting story. Read it, if you can.
One thing that struck me in Corey's rendition of events was that greed appears to always be with us.
Many of the slaves being returned to Africa died on the way. Scurvy. Not enough potatoes or citrus fruits. A footnote in Corey's work evidences that the local KeyWest Marshall provided provisions rich in vitamin C. Twenty one barrels of potatoes, 8800 limes and 200 lemons. However, a doctor traveling with the ship said no such provisions were available.
No more is known. Was something actually amiss? Did these people have to die? We will never know. Note that the greed aspect is something I pulled out of my reading. Corey made no reference to it. The main story wrote of deaths by scurvy because of a lack of potatoes and other foods. The footnote said provisions were provided by the Marshall.
Yesterday I spoke of the local interest in establishing a clothing optional beach. Later in the day I was at the Pier House's Beach Bar having lunch. Lo and behold, a topless wonder appeared! There in the water was a lovely lady exhibiting her jewels in all their glory! And her husband or boy friend rapidly clicking pictures of her!
When the picture taking concluded, she put her top back on. And there it stayed! I know! I kept looking! It never came off again!
These two young people were probably taking the pictures to show their friends back home of the "risque" time they enjoyed in Key West! I sometimes think that Key West's reputation in this regard far exceeds that which actually exists!
A nice day ahead. Have fun!
Congratulations to developer Ed Swift! In spite of unanticpated setbacks, you hung in there! And made it to the finish line!
Key West has two business persons of vision. Individuals who see where Key West's future lies and are not afraid to take it there.
I speak of Ed Swift and Robert Spottswood.
Swift with the Steamplant and other projects. Spottswood with the Beachside complex at the entrance to Key West, as well as his many other developments.
Both men put their money where there mouths are, so to speak. However in these instances even their private fortunes were not enough to cover the investments involved. They extended themselves in each instance for a dream. And after anguish and pain and an unexpected falling economy, each is on the road to success. Success not only for themselves, but for all of Key West.
Good men, indeed!
My son in law is Corey Malcom. Lisa married a great guy!
Corey is originally from Indiana. He has that mid west solidness about him.
There is no ocean any where around Indiana. But there was a magnetism attracting him to the waters. Corey for more than 25 years has been the Chief Archeologist at the Mel Fisher Museum. He dives for a living searching for pieces of history on the ocean floor.
Corey has developed a specialty. Slave ships! He is probably the most learned man in the United States on the subject. He appears 3-4 times a year on the History Channel, has written several articles on various slave issues and is an invited guest speaker nationwide.
My son in law, Corey!
One of Key West's local newspapers is Solares Hill. In the publication which came out yesterday, there was a brief comment on page 2 that Corey had written an article for the Florida Keys Sea Heritage Journal, the official publication of the Key West Maritime Historical Society. The article basically concerned itrself with pre Civil War slaves being transported to Cuba who had been saved by US forces and were returned to Liberia in Africa.
An interesting story. Read it, if you can.
One thing that struck me in Corey's rendition of events was that greed appears to always be with us.
Many of the slaves being returned to Africa died on the way. Scurvy. Not enough potatoes or citrus fruits. A footnote in Corey's work evidences that the local KeyWest Marshall provided provisions rich in vitamin C. Twenty one barrels of potatoes, 8800 limes and 200 lemons. However, a doctor traveling with the ship said no such provisions were available.
No more is known. Was something actually amiss? Did these people have to die? We will never know. Note that the greed aspect is something I pulled out of my reading. Corey made no reference to it. The main story wrote of deaths by scurvy because of a lack of potatoes and other foods. The footnote said provisions were provided by the Marshall.
Yesterday I spoke of the local interest in establishing a clothing optional beach. Later in the day I was at the Pier House's Beach Bar having lunch. Lo and behold, a topless wonder appeared! There in the water was a lovely lady exhibiting her jewels in all their glory! And her husband or boy friend rapidly clicking pictures of her!
When the picture taking concluded, she put her top back on. And there it stayed! I know! I kept looking! It never came off again!
These two young people were probably taking the pictures to show their friends back home of the "risque" time they enjoyed in Key West! I sometimes think that Key West's reputation in this regard far exceeds that which actually exists!
A nice day ahead. Have fun!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
It is a lovely morning here in Key West! Sun bright! Water blue! Just enough breeze!
Lisa called me to come over to lunch yesterday. While there the grandkids wanted to play cards with me. Crazy 8s! I think I have finally learned the game.
I played each of them separately. Figured I could win at least one game. Good luck! First, Ally whipped me! Then, Robert! And I was trying!
Robert did a victory dance afterwards. He was stomping on my beaten bones!
Last night I was out early. Around 6.
Stopped first at the Chart Room. The hsitory of the place is compelling! You can feel it every time you are there.
Initially the bartender and I were the only locals. Only tourists at the bar.
The conversation by the tourists centered itself on the recent news reports that the City Commission was seriously considering a clothing optional beach. The tourists were all for it.
Apparently there are many communities in Florida that have clothing optional beaches. It must be remembered that the only industry in Key West is tourism. Many of our visitors come from Europe where such activity is commonplace and permitted without a second thought.
The Commission is considering Higgs Beach for the location. Located behind the West Martello Fort, it is a perfect palce.
A couple of guests houses maintain clothing optional pool areas. For guests only, however.
For many years Atlantic Shores was the clothing optional place in Key West. Part of a motel complex, the nudity was in the back on the ocean. The area was a gold mine! Packed every day! Outsiders were permitted. So if history is any measure, there is a market for such a beach!
Atlantic Shores got torn down a couple of years ago and replaced by a modern upscale hotel complex. With no clothing optional facitility!
Catain Peter and Marty showed up. We decided to eat at the Wine Galley.
Larry Smith was playing. Other locals were there.
We had a light dinner at the bar.
Mary Deasy talked to me for a while. I have not seen her in several weeks. Mary is in Facebook. I joined about 3 weeks ago. Mary and I have become "friends" on Facebook.
I joined to get more exposure with this blog. It worked! I have already increased my reading public by more than 1,000 hits a day! Amazing!
I only had one drink last night. A good boy am I! However it hit me! I was feeling good! So I stopped after one and went home. I was in bed by 9:30. It seems I am getting to bed earlier and earlier. I am beginning to wonder if it is part of the aging process!
Today is Sunday. I enjoy Sundays. I look upon Sundays as a time to nuture my body and soul. You do likewise, also!
Lisa called me to come over to lunch yesterday. While there the grandkids wanted to play cards with me. Crazy 8s! I think I have finally learned the game.
I played each of them separately. Figured I could win at least one game. Good luck! First, Ally whipped me! Then, Robert! And I was trying!
Robert did a victory dance afterwards. He was stomping on my beaten bones!
Last night I was out early. Around 6.
Stopped first at the Chart Room. The hsitory of the place is compelling! You can feel it every time you are there.
Initially the bartender and I were the only locals. Only tourists at the bar.
The conversation by the tourists centered itself on the recent news reports that the City Commission was seriously considering a clothing optional beach. The tourists were all for it.
Apparently there are many communities in Florida that have clothing optional beaches. It must be remembered that the only industry in Key West is tourism. Many of our visitors come from Europe where such activity is commonplace and permitted without a second thought.
The Commission is considering Higgs Beach for the location. Located behind the West Martello Fort, it is a perfect palce.
A couple of guests houses maintain clothing optional pool areas. For guests only, however.
For many years Atlantic Shores was the clothing optional place in Key West. Part of a motel complex, the nudity was in the back on the ocean. The area was a gold mine! Packed every day! Outsiders were permitted. So if history is any measure, there is a market for such a beach!
Atlantic Shores got torn down a couple of years ago and replaced by a modern upscale hotel complex. With no clothing optional facitility!
Catain Peter and Marty showed up. We decided to eat at the Wine Galley.
Larry Smith was playing. Other locals were there.
We had a light dinner at the bar.
Mary Deasy talked to me for a while. I have not seen her in several weeks. Mary is in Facebook. I joined about 3 weeks ago. Mary and I have become "friends" on Facebook.
I joined to get more exposure with this blog. It worked! I have already increased my reading public by more than 1,000 hits a day! Amazing!
I only had one drink last night. A good boy am I! However it hit me! I was feeling good! So I stopped after one and went home. I was in bed by 9:30. It seems I am getting to bed earlier and earlier. I am beginning to wonder if it is part of the aging process!
Today is Sunday. I enjoy Sundays. I look upon Sundays as a time to nuture my body and soul. You do likewise, also!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Donna and Terri have been back from New York a week. Last night was the first chance we had to hook up for a time, except for a quick hello.
They invited me to dinner!
Besides enjoying their wonderful company, it gave me an opportunity to review for the first time Terri's reviews from Finian's Rainbow. Outstanding! Like a star is born!
Some of the review comments are as follows.
Variety wrote "...Terri White shakes the rafters of City Center--and probably Carnegie Hall around the corner--with her featured specialty Necessity."
The NY Times. "Terri white as a sharecropper brings a sly humor and a lustrously dark tone to 'Necessity,' a comic lament for life's drudgery."
Theater Mania said, "Abetted by conductor Rob Berman, Carlyle has seen to it that brash Baldwin, grinning Jackson, bobbing Bobb, the luciously twirling Faye, and the delectable Terri White (who leads "Necessity") all deliver every golden measure to its utmost."
Talkinbroadway.com reported, "Terri White does little more than lead the realism-honed spiritual 'Necessity,' but she does it with such from-the-gut-fervor, it's more than showstoppingly sufficient."
That's my girl, Terri! Good job! You did break a leg! We are all proud of you!
Finian's Rainbow is scheduled to reopen full time on Broadway in Novemberr. And Terri will be starring in it!
All of Key West loves you, Terri! And we all feel a small piece of your success!
They invited me to dinner!
Besides enjoying their wonderful company, it gave me an opportunity to review for the first time Terri's reviews from Finian's Rainbow. Outstanding! Like a star is born!
Some of the review comments are as follows.
Variety wrote "...Terri White shakes the rafters of City Center--and probably Carnegie Hall around the corner--with her featured specialty Necessity."
The NY Times. "Terri white as a sharecropper brings a sly humor and a lustrously dark tone to 'Necessity,' a comic lament for life's drudgery."
Theater Mania said, "Abetted by conductor Rob Berman, Carlyle has seen to it that brash Baldwin, grinning Jackson, bobbing Bobb, the luciously twirling Faye, and the delectable Terri White (who leads "Necessity") all deliver every golden measure to its utmost."
Talkinbroadway.com reported, "Terri White does little more than lead the realism-honed spiritual 'Necessity,' but she does it with such from-the-gut-fervor, it's more than showstoppingly sufficient."
That's my girl, Terri! Good job! You did break a leg! We are all proud of you!
Finian's Rainbow is scheduled to reopen full time on Broadway in Novemberr. And Terri will be starring in it!
All of Key West loves you, Terri! And we all feel a small piece of your success!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Hung out at home yesterday in the morning. Read and watched TV.
Lunch at Paradise Cafe. Cuban toast with melted cheese and tomato. The simple things taste the best!
I was reading the newspapers when Harry walked by. We chatted for awhile.
Harry is a retired oncologist from Reading, Pennsylvania. His wife is Marney. Nice people. They live in Truman Annex. Harry was taking a walk when he spotted me.
Last night bocci!
We played better. Still lost 3 games, however. Such is life!
We are so buried in the cellar, it will be impossible to get out. We are definitely headed for a last place finish!
The next 2 matches are very important! They are money games for us. Real money. We have sort of a 4 team side bet going amongst 4 teams. We won last season! Although things do not look so good for us going into these 2 matches, we are mentally up for them!
Captain David and Don have come up with a strategic plan for the matches. Our team has been divided into an A team and B team. We had a pre game meeting last night and were informed. The A team consists purportedly of the 6 best players. Only the A team will play the next 2 weeks. We want to win! Every one was OK with the plan.
By the way, I am on the A team. Though I know not why after the way I have been playing this season. That is our problem, though. Each one of us has been playing poorly. How the mighty fall!
The big house next door to me is being termited. Workman spent all day yesterday covering it in the huge red and yellow tent.
The whole house is covered and sealed. Then gassed inside. Termites killed. A day or two later the tent is removed.
The wind was strong over the ocean last night. I had to close my bedroom terrace door which faces the tented house. I could hear the tent flapping in the wind, which I thought was strange since metal clasp hooks are used to hold it together.
When I arose this morning and looked next door, I could see what I heard. The wind had ripped away half the tent! It all looked sort of ominous!
Time is flying by. We are on the bottom side of April. Time seems to move faster as one gets older. Not good, not bad. Just the way it is.
Have a good day!
Lunch at Paradise Cafe. Cuban toast with melted cheese and tomato. The simple things taste the best!
I was reading the newspapers when Harry walked by. We chatted for awhile.
Harry is a retired oncologist from Reading, Pennsylvania. His wife is Marney. Nice people. They live in Truman Annex. Harry was taking a walk when he spotted me.
Last night bocci!
We played better. Still lost 3 games, however. Such is life!
We are so buried in the cellar, it will be impossible to get out. We are definitely headed for a last place finish!
The next 2 matches are very important! They are money games for us. Real money. We have sort of a 4 team side bet going amongst 4 teams. We won last season! Although things do not look so good for us going into these 2 matches, we are mentally up for them!
Captain David and Don have come up with a strategic plan for the matches. Our team has been divided into an A team and B team. We had a pre game meeting last night and were informed. The A team consists purportedly of the 6 best players. Only the A team will play the next 2 weeks. We want to win! Every one was OK with the plan.
By the way, I am on the A team. Though I know not why after the way I have been playing this season. That is our problem, though. Each one of us has been playing poorly. How the mighty fall!
The big house next door to me is being termited. Workman spent all day yesterday covering it in the huge red and yellow tent.
The whole house is covered and sealed. Then gassed inside. Termites killed. A day or two later the tent is removed.
The wind was strong over the ocean last night. I had to close my bedroom terrace door which faces the tented house. I could hear the tent flapping in the wind, which I thought was strange since metal clasp hooks are used to hold it together.
When I arose this morning and looked next door, I could see what I heard. The wind had ripped away half the tent! It all looked sort of ominous!
Time is flying by. We are on the bottom side of April. Time seems to move faster as one gets older. Not good, not bad. Just the way it is.
Have a good day!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Golf yesterday was a disaster! The worst I have played in ages!
I played with Kurt, Larry and Tom. Larry was a saving factor for me. Larry, of Larry Smith fame, normally shoots in the 80s. Yesterday he had an off day. Shot around 110. Good for me! His playing kept me in the game!
Notice that I am not sharing my score with you. Enough to say it was double digits over and above Larry's score!
Last night was Bobby Nesbitt time at Aqua during cocktail hour. Always good!
However, it is obvious the season is over. It ends Easter Sunday. The northerners, snowbirds as we call them, flock out of Key West as if a hurricane was imminent. That is the way it is. That is the way it always has been.
There were not many patrons to enjoy Bobby's singing. Nor were there that many persons at La Trattoria where I later had dinner. The restaurant was half or less full.
I did have a good time at La Trattoria, however. An Irish couple sat next to me at the bar. Very interesting people!
The husband was 67. The wife in her mid to late 40s. They have been married for 25 years.
They live in Fort Myers. Their business is there. They operate a school for affluent kids with problems.
He is now a US citizen. She is here on the green card.
Turns out she is a retired golf professional. Played on the European circuit.
Just what I needed. We were into a golf conversation, the course here in Key West and so on. She kept pressing to know my handicap. I normally do not mind telling people nor do I mind telling them I suck at the game. For some reason, I could not last night. I kept avoiding the question. She finally decided that when I said my game was bad that I probably shot around 78. I wish I did!
We had a good time. They visit Key west 3-4 times a year. I look forward to running into them again.
They were staying at the Pier House. Knew of Larry Smith. Often had heard him at the Wine Galley.
I broke my drinking rule last night. I have been limiting myself to no more than 2 drinks an evening. Last night I had 4! Good!
So after La Trattoria I walked over to La Te Da for a drink.
Mary Jo was at the outside bar. I joined her.
Mary Jo continues to amaze me. She is off chemo for a month. They are doing tests to determine if the tumor has shrunk further. I wish her well. She is an amazing woman!
She was talking with Peter. I had never met Peter before . He has lived in Key West for close to 30 years. Owns the building the Gingerbread Gallery is in. He lives upstairs. Has to be a terrific accomodation!
I was home early. By 9:30. An example of my decadent Key West life style!
Tonight bocci! I have no comment to make. I have become fatalistic. What will be, will be!
I played with Kurt, Larry and Tom. Larry was a saving factor for me. Larry, of Larry Smith fame, normally shoots in the 80s. Yesterday he had an off day. Shot around 110. Good for me! His playing kept me in the game!
Notice that I am not sharing my score with you. Enough to say it was double digits over and above Larry's score!
Last night was Bobby Nesbitt time at Aqua during cocktail hour. Always good!
However, it is obvious the season is over. It ends Easter Sunday. The northerners, snowbirds as we call them, flock out of Key West as if a hurricane was imminent. That is the way it is. That is the way it always has been.
There were not many patrons to enjoy Bobby's singing. Nor were there that many persons at La Trattoria where I later had dinner. The restaurant was half or less full.
I did have a good time at La Trattoria, however. An Irish couple sat next to me at the bar. Very interesting people!
The husband was 67. The wife in her mid to late 40s. They have been married for 25 years.
They live in Fort Myers. Their business is there. They operate a school for affluent kids with problems.
He is now a US citizen. She is here on the green card.
Turns out she is a retired golf professional. Played on the European circuit.
Just what I needed. We were into a golf conversation, the course here in Key West and so on. She kept pressing to know my handicap. I normally do not mind telling people nor do I mind telling them I suck at the game. For some reason, I could not last night. I kept avoiding the question. She finally decided that when I said my game was bad that I probably shot around 78. I wish I did!
We had a good time. They visit Key west 3-4 times a year. I look forward to running into them again.
They were staying at the Pier House. Knew of Larry Smith. Often had heard him at the Wine Galley.
I broke my drinking rule last night. I have been limiting myself to no more than 2 drinks an evening. Last night I had 4! Good!
So after La Trattoria I walked over to La Te Da for a drink.
Mary Jo was at the outside bar. I joined her.
Mary Jo continues to amaze me. She is off chemo for a month. They are doing tests to determine if the tumor has shrunk further. I wish her well. She is an amazing woman!
She was talking with Peter. I had never met Peter before . He has lived in Key West for close to 30 years. Owns the building the Gingerbread Gallery is in. He lives upstairs. Has to be a terrific accomodation!
I was home early. By 9:30. An example of my decadent Key West life style!
Tonight bocci! I have no comment to make. I have become fatalistic. What will be, will be!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
I am up early. Dark outside!
Yesterday was a relatively quiet day.
I lunched at Hogfish. No hogfish! I ate catfish. Good!
And read the papers.
Bobby is doing a terrific job at renovating Hogfish. It is still an open air thatched roof operation. And it continues to maintain unquestionably vestiges of old Key West. But, he is improving it!
I visited the family for a while last night before doing my thing. Robert was engrossed in some movie. Ally was spiked! All over the place, doing everything. Pure energy. She is back into beading. The Easter bunny brought her bigger and better beads. Ally makes necklaces and bracelets. She brought a necklace to her teacher yesterday.
I started my evening at the Chart Room. Hooked up with Catain Peter, Marty and Sean. We discussed many things. Including the school disaster here in Key West. I am sure there will be at lest one indictment. Sad.
Louie's Backyard is a world famous restaurant here in Key West. It sits on the Atlantic. A lovely open air bar deck. Behind which sits a 2 story house with dining inside and out. Out on large porches. All again overlooking the broad expanse of the Atlantic.
The restaurant was hobbling along. Just making it. And then around 1985 Gourmet Magazine wrote it up and pictured Louie's on its cover. Instantaneous success! The place has been a gold mine ever since. The place to eat in Key West! Especially for tourists.
I do not go! Prior to last night I had not been to Louie's to dine in about 6 years. The reason is simple. Although the food is absolutely outstanding, it had become a tourist place. Move the customers in and out. I timed it the last 2 times I ate there. From the time I sat down to the time I paid the bill was less than 1 hour. Not good! Especially when you are paying top dollar! Fine dining is not to be rushed!
Last night I returned to Louie's Backyard!
Louie's has recently opened a tapas restaurnat upstairs. Marty suggested we try it. So we did.
The view is absolutely spectacular from the second floor! Better than from the first! We sat out on the balcony and could see the outside deck and drinkers as well as the ocean before us. A million dollar setting!
And the food! I must tell you. The best! I am not normally a tapas freak. Last night was different. Everything we tried had great taste. And cheap! The whole bill for 3 was $63, without tip. That included also a drink a piece.
The service was good. No one rushed us.
I intend to return!
Still dark. Black.
Golf this morning. I am anxious to play. It is called self abuse!
Yesterday was a relatively quiet day.
I lunched at Hogfish. No hogfish! I ate catfish. Good!
And read the papers.
Bobby is doing a terrific job at renovating Hogfish. It is still an open air thatched roof operation. And it continues to maintain unquestionably vestiges of old Key West. But, he is improving it!
I visited the family for a while last night before doing my thing. Robert was engrossed in some movie. Ally was spiked! All over the place, doing everything. Pure energy. She is back into beading. The Easter bunny brought her bigger and better beads. Ally makes necklaces and bracelets. She brought a necklace to her teacher yesterday.
I started my evening at the Chart Room. Hooked up with Catain Peter, Marty and Sean. We discussed many things. Including the school disaster here in Key West. I am sure there will be at lest one indictment. Sad.
Louie's Backyard is a world famous restaurant here in Key West. It sits on the Atlantic. A lovely open air bar deck. Behind which sits a 2 story house with dining inside and out. Out on large porches. All again overlooking the broad expanse of the Atlantic.
The restaurant was hobbling along. Just making it. And then around 1985 Gourmet Magazine wrote it up and pictured Louie's on its cover. Instantaneous success! The place has been a gold mine ever since. The place to eat in Key West! Especially for tourists.
I do not go! Prior to last night I had not been to Louie's to dine in about 6 years. The reason is simple. Although the food is absolutely outstanding, it had become a tourist place. Move the customers in and out. I timed it the last 2 times I ate there. From the time I sat down to the time I paid the bill was less than 1 hour. Not good! Especially when you are paying top dollar! Fine dining is not to be rushed!
Last night I returned to Louie's Backyard!
Louie's has recently opened a tapas restaurnat upstairs. Marty suggested we try it. So we did.
The view is absolutely spectacular from the second floor! Better than from the first! We sat out on the balcony and could see the outside deck and drinkers as well as the ocean before us. A million dollar setting!
And the food! I must tell you. The best! I am not normally a tapas freak. Last night was different. Everything we tried had great taste. And cheap! The whole bill for 3 was $63, without tip. That included also a drink a piece.
The service was good. No one rushed us.
I intend to return!
Still dark. Black.
Golf this morning. I am anxious to play. It is called self abuse!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
I screwed up big time in yesterday's blog!
I described the President's new dog as an English sheep dog. Actually, it is a Portuguese water dog. I knew. Why I referred to it erroneously, I don't know. Has to be the aging process!
And, yes, my dear friend Howard Livingston has a Portuguese water dog. I should know. I have been on the boat and in the water with Howard's dog many times! She likes me!
I cannot tell you the number of e mails and telephone calls I received regarding the dog description error. Thank you all for keeping me correct. And in this case should I say "politically" correct?
Speaking of English sheep dogs, we once had one. Many many years ago. He lasted as part of the family all of one year.
We got him as a puppy. So pretty! So lovable!
He technically became my daughter Beth's dog. She was about 14 at the time.
We named him Plato.
I did not know if he was smart at the time, but he did have a mind of his own!
He was impossible to train. He was a year old and still greeting people at the door by jumping on them. Straight up! His front paws over your shoulders!
By age one, Plato was huge. I am 6 foot 1 inch. When standing on his hind legs, Plato towered over me! He would almost knock you over with his greeting. And sometimes did!
English sheep dogs defecate consistent with their size. Big time! You did not just scoop it up. You shoveled it up! And it always left a burn like mark on the grass!
After living with us for a year, Plato developed a personality conflict with me. Why I do not know!
Every morning Beth would walk Plato so he could do his business. Then the kids were off to school. My wife left soon after to go to the office. I was the last to leave.
For about two weeks, every day when I opened my bedroom door in the morning to leave for work, there was Plato sitting outside the door. And next to him was a huge dump on our lovely white carpet!
This went on for two weeks. We could not break Plato of this habit. Obviously it had to do with me. It was probably his way of saying, "Fuck you!"
So I determined Plato had to go.
Frankfort is about 15 miles east of Utica. A small farm town. I found a farm family that wanted Plato. I gave Plato to the family. And broke my daughter's heart in the process.
Early one morning about 6 months later, my daughter Beth came running into my bedroom to announce that Plato had returned. She said he was sitting outside the side door by the driveway.
"Don't open the door," I shouted. "Don't even let him see you."
I went down and looked out of the side of the window. Sure enough, there was Plato! Sitting and waiting to be let in!
Good luck!
Plato had made the 15 mile journey back to his original home all alone. Amazing!
I telephoned the farmer. They were concerned. He had disappeared a few days earlier. Fortunately, they still wanted and apparently loved him. I said come and get him! They did. And that was the end of Plato in out lives.
Turns out he was a very smart dog!
I left the house early yesterday morning and walked all over town for about an hour. Felt a need to push myself a bit.
The college had advertised a speaker on the evils of smoking, cigarette compnay investigators, cigarette company lawyers, the government in controlling smoking and so forth. Sounded interesting, so I went.
It was interesting!
The speaker spent much time describing how nicotine influences the brain. He also had 2 for real brains to demonstrate with. One of a chimpanzee and the other human.The human one was cut in half. A ltttle creepy! But compelling to view!
When the one hour lecture concluded, it was about 2:30. I had not had lunch yet. I decided to try McDonalds. I have not been to a McDonalds in 15 years. Not my cup of tea!
There is only one in Key West. Right on the ocean. What a view!
I had a double cheeseburger and a medium diet coke. $2.99. Cheap!
The place was relatively clean.
What really impressed me was the number of customers. At 2:30 in the afternoon there were at least 20 people inside and cars outside lined up back to the highway waiting for service. Has to be a winner dollar wise!
That was my exciting day yesterday. I stayed in the rest of the day and evening. For some reason, I had no desire to go out. So I became a couch potato. A good thing to do on occasion!
Enjoy your day!
I described the President's new dog as an English sheep dog. Actually, it is a Portuguese water dog. I knew. Why I referred to it erroneously, I don't know. Has to be the aging process!
And, yes, my dear friend Howard Livingston has a Portuguese water dog. I should know. I have been on the boat and in the water with Howard's dog many times! She likes me!
I cannot tell you the number of e mails and telephone calls I received regarding the dog description error. Thank you all for keeping me correct. And in this case should I say "politically" correct?
Speaking of English sheep dogs, we once had one. Many many years ago. He lasted as part of the family all of one year.
We got him as a puppy. So pretty! So lovable!
He technically became my daughter Beth's dog. She was about 14 at the time.
We named him Plato.
I did not know if he was smart at the time, but he did have a mind of his own!
He was impossible to train. He was a year old and still greeting people at the door by jumping on them. Straight up! His front paws over your shoulders!
By age one, Plato was huge. I am 6 foot 1 inch. When standing on his hind legs, Plato towered over me! He would almost knock you over with his greeting. And sometimes did!
English sheep dogs defecate consistent with their size. Big time! You did not just scoop it up. You shoveled it up! And it always left a burn like mark on the grass!
After living with us for a year, Plato developed a personality conflict with me. Why I do not know!
Every morning Beth would walk Plato so he could do his business. Then the kids were off to school. My wife left soon after to go to the office. I was the last to leave.
For about two weeks, every day when I opened my bedroom door in the morning to leave for work, there was Plato sitting outside the door. And next to him was a huge dump on our lovely white carpet!
This went on for two weeks. We could not break Plato of this habit. Obviously it had to do with me. It was probably his way of saying, "Fuck you!"
So I determined Plato had to go.
Frankfort is about 15 miles east of Utica. A small farm town. I found a farm family that wanted Plato. I gave Plato to the family. And broke my daughter's heart in the process.
Early one morning about 6 months later, my daughter Beth came running into my bedroom to announce that Plato had returned. She said he was sitting outside the side door by the driveway.
"Don't open the door," I shouted. "Don't even let him see you."
I went down and looked out of the side of the window. Sure enough, there was Plato! Sitting and waiting to be let in!
Good luck!
Plato had made the 15 mile journey back to his original home all alone. Amazing!
I telephoned the farmer. They were concerned. He had disappeared a few days earlier. Fortunately, they still wanted and apparently loved him. I said come and get him! They did. And that was the end of Plato in out lives.
Turns out he was a very smart dog!
I left the house early yesterday morning and walked all over town for about an hour. Felt a need to push myself a bit.
The college had advertised a speaker on the evils of smoking, cigarette compnay investigators, cigarette company lawyers, the government in controlling smoking and so forth. Sounded interesting, so I went.
It was interesting!
The speaker spent much time describing how nicotine influences the brain. He also had 2 for real brains to demonstrate with. One of a chimpanzee and the other human.The human one was cut in half. A ltttle creepy! But compelling to view!
When the one hour lecture concluded, it was about 2:30. I had not had lunch yet. I decided to try McDonalds. I have not been to a McDonalds in 15 years. Not my cup of tea!
There is only one in Key West. Right on the ocean. What a view!
I had a double cheeseburger and a medium diet coke. $2.99. Cheap!
The place was relatively clean.
What really impressed me was the number of customers. At 2:30 in the afternoon there were at least 20 people inside and cars outside lined up back to the highway waiting for service. Has to be a winner dollar wise!
That was my exciting day yesterday. I stayed in the rest of the day and evening. For some reason, I had no desire to go out. So I became a couch potato. A good thing to do on occasion!
Enjoy your day!
Monday, April 13, 2009
I lost the Easter egg hunt to the grandkids! My egg hunting prowess appears to be comparable to my golf and bocci talents! Such is life!
It was a nice Easter! Very nice!
Lisa and Corey had also small gifts hidden around for Robert and Ally. From the Easter Bunny, of course! Things like a chess set for Robert and beads for Ally. Robert has already learned how to play chess at Montessori. I am impressed! He is trying to teach me.
Lisa prepared a huge Easter brunch. Good!
We then sat around the rest of the morning reading the Sunday papers, chatting and playing chess. A family Easter setting!
I spent the afternoon home alone watching the final round of the Masters. What else!
Terrific golf!
Mickelson looked like he might do it for a while. Minus 6 on the front side! Tiger made a feeble run at it.
It looked like Perry with 2 holes to go. But he faltered. And Cadrera slipped in.
I saw 2 Louis golf shots yesterday near the end of the Masters. The first was Cadrera's shot out of the woods on the first play off hole. He hit a tree. But the monkey threw the ball out into the middle of the fairway! The monkey is a golfer's friend! Where would we all be without the monkey!
To the non golfer, when a golfer hits a ball into the woods and it hits a tree or branch in such fashion that it is propelled back out onto the fairway, it is the said to to be the monkey who threw it out! The ball is not lost and there is no penalty. A bit of golf folklore!
Then Perry's shank shot to the right on one of the playoff holes. No reason for it. It happens.
It made us rank amateurs feel good to know even the pros can occasionally play as we do!
The President's family finally has a dog! An English sheep dog!
Howard Livingston of Mile Marker 24 fame has an English sheep dog. They get big! Many the time I have been out on Howard's boat and his dog would nestle up to me with that huge body and damp curly hair.
Just the pet for the White House! Watch out for the china!
Enjoy!
It was a nice Easter! Very nice!
Lisa and Corey had also small gifts hidden around for Robert and Ally. From the Easter Bunny, of course! Things like a chess set for Robert and beads for Ally. Robert has already learned how to play chess at Montessori. I am impressed! He is trying to teach me.
Lisa prepared a huge Easter brunch. Good!
We then sat around the rest of the morning reading the Sunday papers, chatting and playing chess. A family Easter setting!
I spent the afternoon home alone watching the final round of the Masters. What else!
Terrific golf!
Mickelson looked like he might do it for a while. Minus 6 on the front side! Tiger made a feeble run at it.
It looked like Perry with 2 holes to go. But he faltered. And Cadrera slipped in.
I saw 2 Louis golf shots yesterday near the end of the Masters. The first was Cadrera's shot out of the woods on the first play off hole. He hit a tree. But the monkey threw the ball out into the middle of the fairway! The monkey is a golfer's friend! Where would we all be without the monkey!
To the non golfer, when a golfer hits a ball into the woods and it hits a tree or branch in such fashion that it is propelled back out onto the fairway, it is the said to to be the monkey who threw it out! The ball is not lost and there is no penalty. A bit of golf folklore!
Then Perry's shank shot to the right on one of the playoff holes. No reason for it. It happens.
It made us rank amateurs feel good to know even the pros can occasionally play as we do!
The President's family finally has a dog! An English sheep dog!
Howard Livingston of Mile Marker 24 fame has an English sheep dog. They get big! Many the time I have been out on Howard's boat and his dog would nestle up to me with that huge body and damp curly hair.
Just the pet for the White House! Watch out for the china!
Enjoy!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter!
He is risen. He's not here. The religious aspect.
Religion does not seem to play as big a part in the holiday as in years past. Long past.
I recall every one went to Church. Church was packed for all masses. Now there are many less.
Every one dressed. Sunday best! Women wore hats. Men suits. To show respect for God and the holiday that represented Him.
And people walked the streets after Church showing off their Easter finery and nodding a Happy Easter to friends along the way.
No more! Everything has changed!
I think people still basically believe in God. However formalized religion has taken a hit. We believe and pay respect in our own private ways. I wonder what God thinks?
Easter means coloring eggs. Did it yesterday with the grandkids. It took me back. I did it with my own children so long ago. Then did it with my older grandchildren more recently. And now Robert and Ally.
It is always the same. Messy. Broken eggs. Fighting amongst the kids as to who colors what egg and in what color. But fun. And something they will always remember as I remember.
Matt and Nancy are two friends I have made here in Key West. Matt is a deputy sheriff and Nancy works in county codes.
Yesterday was Nancy's 50th birthday. Matt threw her a surprise birthday party!
The party was at Bottle Cap. About 150 people. Terrific party! Nancy looked so beautiful! Dressed to the hilt! It made me wonder if maybe she knew.
Happy birthday, Nancy! May you have another fifty!
Afterwards I walked over to the Keys Piano Bar. Terri was scheduled to sing.
Bobby Nesbitt was still entertaining for the cocktail hour. His singing makes me feel so good!
I sat at the only empty seat at the bar. Next to a lady who was eating. A conversation ensued. Turns out she is from Oneida, New York. All of 20 miles from Utica. Her name is Kim. She is a Syracuse University fan. Actually works at the Carrier Dome as an usher. So she sees all the football and basketball games.
We obviously had a great conversation. Her first time in Key West. She had arrived only 2 hours before we met.
She had some sad information to share. She told me that Syracuse basketball stars Flynn, Devendorf and Harris had announced the day before that they would not be returning to Syracuse next year. They are going pro.
I feel bad for Coach Boeheim. It would have been a great team next year! I have mixed feelings regarding the 3 student athletes. I believe every one should finish college. On the other hand, a few million dollar signing bonus is hard to turn your back on. It is more money than most people make in a lifetime!
The whole situation is a mixed bag!
Lisa has already telephoned me twice this morning. Robert and Ally are getting anxious. Lisa's Easter tradition includes an egg hunt. In their back yard. The grandkids have been up forever waiting to start. I am holding things up. Have to go! I am scheduled to search for the eggs against the 2 grandkids. A competition! They will probably beat me! For sure!
Enjoy your day!
He is risen. He's not here. The religious aspect.
Religion does not seem to play as big a part in the holiday as in years past. Long past.
I recall every one went to Church. Church was packed for all masses. Now there are many less.
Every one dressed. Sunday best! Women wore hats. Men suits. To show respect for God and the holiday that represented Him.
And people walked the streets after Church showing off their Easter finery and nodding a Happy Easter to friends along the way.
No more! Everything has changed!
I think people still basically believe in God. However formalized religion has taken a hit. We believe and pay respect in our own private ways. I wonder what God thinks?
Easter means coloring eggs. Did it yesterday with the grandkids. It took me back. I did it with my own children so long ago. Then did it with my older grandchildren more recently. And now Robert and Ally.
It is always the same. Messy. Broken eggs. Fighting amongst the kids as to who colors what egg and in what color. But fun. And something they will always remember as I remember.
Matt and Nancy are two friends I have made here in Key West. Matt is a deputy sheriff and Nancy works in county codes.
Yesterday was Nancy's 50th birthday. Matt threw her a surprise birthday party!
The party was at Bottle Cap. About 150 people. Terrific party! Nancy looked so beautiful! Dressed to the hilt! It made me wonder if maybe she knew.
Happy birthday, Nancy! May you have another fifty!
Afterwards I walked over to the Keys Piano Bar. Terri was scheduled to sing.
Bobby Nesbitt was still entertaining for the cocktail hour. His singing makes me feel so good!
I sat at the only empty seat at the bar. Next to a lady who was eating. A conversation ensued. Turns out she is from Oneida, New York. All of 20 miles from Utica. Her name is Kim. She is a Syracuse University fan. Actually works at the Carrier Dome as an usher. So she sees all the football and basketball games.
We obviously had a great conversation. Her first time in Key West. She had arrived only 2 hours before we met.
She had some sad information to share. She told me that Syracuse basketball stars Flynn, Devendorf and Harris had announced the day before that they would not be returning to Syracuse next year. They are going pro.
I feel bad for Coach Boeheim. It would have been a great team next year! I have mixed feelings regarding the 3 student athletes. I believe every one should finish college. On the other hand, a few million dollar signing bonus is hard to turn your back on. It is more money than most people make in a lifetime!
The whole situation is a mixed bag!
Lisa has already telephoned me twice this morning. Robert and Ally are getting anxious. Lisa's Easter tradition includes an egg hunt. In their back yard. The grandkids have been up forever waiting to start. I am holding things up. Have to go! I am scheduled to search for the eggs against the 2 grandkids. A competition! They will probably beat me! For sure!
Enjoy your day!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The other night I had dinner with Blake and Suzi.
Blake and Suzi are from St. Clair, Michigan. They have been coming to Key West off and on over the years. Blake is a doctor, ob/gyn. Suzi a former nurse who nows sells real estate.
Blake tripped on to the blog a couple of weeks ago while researching Key West. He has written to me several times since. He asked if I would join them for dinner while they were here. Of course!
We had a great time! Good conversation! From their six kids to my four, politics and everything else in between. I look forward to their return visit next year.
We are into the holiday weekend. All of a sudden the town is filled up. Many families. It is that time of the year.
The weather is perfect. Could not be better. Warm by day and comfortable in the evening.
Lisa called. I am to go over for lunch. We are coloring Easter eggs. Love it! Messy, but fun! I have to stop on the way over and buy Easter baskets for Robert and Ally. I would like to buy them a rabbit. However, Lisa would kill me!
It is that time of the year and that kind of a day where I have to sit back and say, "God is in His Heaven, all's right with the world!"
Enjoy the holiday weekend!
Blake and Suzi are from St. Clair, Michigan. They have been coming to Key West off and on over the years. Blake is a doctor, ob/gyn. Suzi a former nurse who nows sells real estate.
Blake tripped on to the blog a couple of weeks ago while researching Key West. He has written to me several times since. He asked if I would join them for dinner while they were here. Of course!
We had a great time! Good conversation! From their six kids to my four, politics and everything else in between. I look forward to their return visit next year.
We are into the holiday weekend. All of a sudden the town is filled up. Many families. It is that time of the year.
The weather is perfect. Could not be better. Warm by day and comfortable in the evening.
Lisa called. I am to go over for lunch. We are coloring Easter eggs. Love it! Messy, but fun! I have to stop on the way over and buy Easter baskets for Robert and Ally. I would like to buy them a rabbit. However, Lisa would kill me!
It is that time of the year and that kind of a day where I have to sit back and say, "God is in His Heaven, all's right with the world!"
Enjoy the holiday weekend!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Today is a day of all days!
My Father is 95 years old!
Happy birthday, Dad!
He was born in 1914. World War I was just beginning to fester. His parents, my grandparents, were Italian immigrants. Eventually my Grandfather was able to purchase a 3 story 6 family home. Grandpa's apartment consisted of 2 bedrooms, a living room and large kitchen. My grandparents raised their 7 children , one of whom was obviously my Father, in that small place.
Dad went through the third year of high school. A major achievment in those days for the offspring of immigrant parents. He then quit school to work. An economic necessity at the time.
He lived through the depression of the 1930s. Met my Mother, fell in love and married, also in the 1930s. And then occurred a major event in his life. He fathered a son! Me! I am moved every time I hear him tell of the excitement of my birth and his having fathered a son.
My Father worked back in those days in a fishing tackle plant. He worked in what was known as the glue room making bamboo fishing rods. Not a very good job. But a job during the depression years.
My parents and I were living in my Grandfather's house. My parents rented the third floor front apartment. My Grandfather turned out to be a pretty smart guy. When his children became adults and married, they all moved into his 3 story 6 apartment house! Made not only for steady cash flow, but also kept the family together. Family is big in the Italian tradition.
In the summer of 1941, my parents bought a 2 family house in what might be described as a low middle class neighborhood. Utica was a very ethnic community in those days. In fact, it still is. Most cities are.
Anyhow, it was primarily a German/Irish neighborhood. My father was one of the first persons of Italian extraction to move in. It was not easy. An unexpectred discrimination became apparent. It took a few years to work out.
World War II was upon us. My father was turned down for military service. When he was young, he had an infected ear. The doctor tried to clean it out with a scissor. He punctured the eardrum. My father was 4F.
He worked in a defense plant during the war years. Thereafter he became a white collar worker. Something he was very proud of. To go from working with his hands to working with his mind!
It always bothered him that he had not finished high school. So around the time I was about 10, he made arrangements to study at home and took his high school examinations. Passsed them all! That year he donned cap and gown and graduated on stage with the local high school class! A very proud moment in his life! That high school diploma was the equivalent of a college degree, as far as my Father was concerned!
Then my sister Joan was born. My parents had the perfect familly. A son and daughter.
My Father saw his children educated and successful in life. Me as a lawyer and my sister as an international travel agent owning her own business in Tampa.
He also saw his seed multiply. His 2 children produced a combined total of 6 offspring. Those grandchildren produced 14 great grandchildren. And all treat him with love and respect to this day!
Mom is long gone. It has been at least 20 years since she moved on. My father now has a companion/partner/lover he has lived with for the past 10 years. She is good for him and very caring of him. She is also about 30 years younger than Dad. Go, Dad!
He still lives in that same 2 family house he bought back in 1941. Sixty eight years in the same place! The neighborhood continues to be ethnic. Except now it is Bosnian, Russian and Asian. And the homes old and starting to show their age.
There was a time when the house went unlocked and keys were left in the car overnight. Now everything is double locked.
My father talks about selling the house. He is motivated by the economics of running the place. I hope he never does.
His health is generally good. If one reaches 95, their health has to be good!
He is a bit shorter. Osteoporosis. He has a heart valve problem which developed about 2 years ago which has slowed him down. But he still gets out to dinner at least once a week! His mind is terrific. Life is good!
Dad had 6 brothers and sisters. Only one sister is left. Mary. Ninety nine and lives in New York City. It is wild to see the two of them together on the infrequent occasions it is possible.
Enjoy your day, Dad! You have had a good and fruitful life! I am proud of you!
My Father is 95 years old!
Happy birthday, Dad!
He was born in 1914. World War I was just beginning to fester. His parents, my grandparents, were Italian immigrants. Eventually my Grandfather was able to purchase a 3 story 6 family home. Grandpa's apartment consisted of 2 bedrooms, a living room and large kitchen. My grandparents raised their 7 children , one of whom was obviously my Father, in that small place.
Dad went through the third year of high school. A major achievment in those days for the offspring of immigrant parents. He then quit school to work. An economic necessity at the time.
He lived through the depression of the 1930s. Met my Mother, fell in love and married, also in the 1930s. And then occurred a major event in his life. He fathered a son! Me! I am moved every time I hear him tell of the excitement of my birth and his having fathered a son.
My Father worked back in those days in a fishing tackle plant. He worked in what was known as the glue room making bamboo fishing rods. Not a very good job. But a job during the depression years.
My parents and I were living in my Grandfather's house. My parents rented the third floor front apartment. My Grandfather turned out to be a pretty smart guy. When his children became adults and married, they all moved into his 3 story 6 apartment house! Made not only for steady cash flow, but also kept the family together. Family is big in the Italian tradition.
In the summer of 1941, my parents bought a 2 family house in what might be described as a low middle class neighborhood. Utica was a very ethnic community in those days. In fact, it still is. Most cities are.
Anyhow, it was primarily a German/Irish neighborhood. My father was one of the first persons of Italian extraction to move in. It was not easy. An unexpectred discrimination became apparent. It took a few years to work out.
World War II was upon us. My father was turned down for military service. When he was young, he had an infected ear. The doctor tried to clean it out with a scissor. He punctured the eardrum. My father was 4F.
He worked in a defense plant during the war years. Thereafter he became a white collar worker. Something he was very proud of. To go from working with his hands to working with his mind!
It always bothered him that he had not finished high school. So around the time I was about 10, he made arrangements to study at home and took his high school examinations. Passsed them all! That year he donned cap and gown and graduated on stage with the local high school class! A very proud moment in his life! That high school diploma was the equivalent of a college degree, as far as my Father was concerned!
Then my sister Joan was born. My parents had the perfect familly. A son and daughter.
My Father saw his children educated and successful in life. Me as a lawyer and my sister as an international travel agent owning her own business in Tampa.
He also saw his seed multiply. His 2 children produced a combined total of 6 offspring. Those grandchildren produced 14 great grandchildren. And all treat him with love and respect to this day!
Mom is long gone. It has been at least 20 years since she moved on. My father now has a companion/partner/lover he has lived with for the past 10 years. She is good for him and very caring of him. She is also about 30 years younger than Dad. Go, Dad!
He still lives in that same 2 family house he bought back in 1941. Sixty eight years in the same place! The neighborhood continues to be ethnic. Except now it is Bosnian, Russian and Asian. And the homes old and starting to show their age.
There was a time when the house went unlocked and keys were left in the car overnight. Now everything is double locked.
My father talks about selling the house. He is motivated by the economics of running the place. I hope he never does.
His health is generally good. If one reaches 95, their health has to be good!
He is a bit shorter. Osteoporosis. He has a heart valve problem which developed about 2 years ago which has slowed him down. But he still gets out to dinner at least once a week! His mind is terrific. Life is good!
Dad had 6 brothers and sisters. Only one sister is left. Mary. Ninety nine and lives in New York City. It is wild to see the two of them together on the infrequent occasions it is possible.
Enjoy your day, Dad! You have had a good and fruitful life! I am proud of you!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A very nice day yesterday!
It started with golf. I played well. That means better than normal. Still did not score, however.
Tom was the big winner. $34! That is a big day! He had a terrific back nine. I lost $11.
Passover last night! I was invited to the Seder dinner at Donna's daughter's home. I am very grateful for the invitation. I had a wonderful time!
Donna's 3 sons were in for the holiday also. Plus other family members and friends.
The Seder was outside. There were a ton of us!
The men wore kepahs. Hebrew for the little round cap Jewish men wear.
Donna had a box of them which she brought to the Seder every year. However the box got lost in the moving she did this year. The loss was discovered only yesterday afternoon.
No problem. Her 3 young granddaughters made new ones! With the men's names written boldly on top. Even one for me!
We started the Haggadah with the ceremonial readings. Haggadah is Hebrew for a gathering. Donna's 2 oldest sons led the ceremonial reading. We all participated. I did a small reading.
I learned many interesting and new things last night.
One involved unleavened bread. Jewish people eat unleavened bread during these ceremonial times and on other occasions. The reason therefore is historical.
When Moses got the Pharoh to let his people go, they left Egypt forthwith. No waiting around. They were afraid he would change his mind.
The Jews did not have time to pack everything or even provide for all provisions necessary for their trip. They took flour and water. Forgot the yeast. So the bread they made came out flat.
We sipped wine 4 times during the pre dinner ceremony. Each time we sipped the wine, we were required to recline left. Why left? The left leaning was to represent a relaxing pleasant time. The trip out of Egypt was a hard one. No time for simple pleasures. To sip wine now in a relaxed position was to make up for the hardships of the trip out of Egypt.
The food was outstanding! Donna did most of the cooking. Said it took her 3 days. Turkey and brisket. Vegetables. Tasty! Delicious!
Thank you again Donna for making me a part of your family holiday!
Today is Thursday. Normally bocci. Not tonight, however. Because of the Jewish and Christian holidays, there is no bocci this week.
The weather is fantastic! Those visiting this week, and many are because of the holiday, are in for a treat!
Enjoy!
It started with golf. I played well. That means better than normal. Still did not score, however.
Tom was the big winner. $34! That is a big day! He had a terrific back nine. I lost $11.
Passover last night! I was invited to the Seder dinner at Donna's daughter's home. I am very grateful for the invitation. I had a wonderful time!
Donna's 3 sons were in for the holiday also. Plus other family members and friends.
The Seder was outside. There were a ton of us!
The men wore kepahs. Hebrew for the little round cap Jewish men wear.
Donna had a box of them which she brought to the Seder every year. However the box got lost in the moving she did this year. The loss was discovered only yesterday afternoon.
No problem. Her 3 young granddaughters made new ones! With the men's names written boldly on top. Even one for me!
We started the Haggadah with the ceremonial readings. Haggadah is Hebrew for a gathering. Donna's 2 oldest sons led the ceremonial reading. We all participated. I did a small reading.
I learned many interesting and new things last night.
One involved unleavened bread. Jewish people eat unleavened bread during these ceremonial times and on other occasions. The reason therefore is historical.
When Moses got the Pharoh to let his people go, they left Egypt forthwith. No waiting around. They were afraid he would change his mind.
The Jews did not have time to pack everything or even provide for all provisions necessary for their trip. They took flour and water. Forgot the yeast. So the bread they made came out flat.
We sipped wine 4 times during the pre dinner ceremony. Each time we sipped the wine, we were required to recline left. Why left? The left leaning was to represent a relaxing pleasant time. The trip out of Egypt was a hard one. No time for simple pleasures. To sip wine now in a relaxed position was to make up for the hardships of the trip out of Egypt.
The food was outstanding! Donna did most of the cooking. Said it took her 3 days. Turkey and brisket. Vegetables. Tasty! Delicious!
Thank you again Donna for making me a part of your family holiday!
Today is Thursday. Normally bocci. Not tonight, however. Because of the Jewish and Christian holidays, there is no bocci this week.
The weather is fantastic! Those visiting this week, and many are because of the holiday, are in for a treat!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Key West is Paradise! It has many positive features! Few negatives!
One of its drawbacks is the degree of medical care. Note I said degree and not quality. What is here is good. However, not enough.
About 5 years ago I went into the local hospital with a ruptured appendix on a Sunday night. Six hours later I came out of surgery having lost not only my appendix, but also 25 per cent of my colon. The doctor thought I had cancer and removed a significant portion of my colon. The only problem, and a fortuante one, was that I did not have cancer.
The doctor made the decision I had cancer based on a sight observation. Since it was a Sunday night, the lab was closed and so no test of my colon tissue could be made to verify what turned out to be his erroneous determination.
Yesterday morning I was at the dentist's office bright and early to deal with the tooth ache of all tooth aches!
I woke yesterday morning with no pain. Surprising!
My dentist, who is a good one by the way, examined me and took x rays. He thinks I might have an abcess. Two teeth away from the new cap. The problem has nothing to do with the new cap. He tells me I need a root canal. No sweat. I have had them before.
Regular dentists do not do root canals. A specialist is required. He is called an endodontist.
My dentist gives me the root canal guy's telephone number, a prescription for penicillan and a prescription for a pain killer.
I telephone the endodontist. I cannot get an appointment until April 21st. Two weeks away! I tell the voice on the other end of the phone that my problem is today! If the pain returns, and I assume it will, what do I do? The pain is a killer!
She is matter of fact. No sympathy. Tells me her doctor only works in Key West 1 day a week. His practice is in Miami. And further he is on vacation presently up north skiing and will not return for 2 weeks.
OK. I can deal with that. Everyone deserves a vacation!
I telephone my dentist back and explain the problem to his assistant. She says she will get back to me. She does. My dentist suggests a doctor somebody in Key Largo. That is 120 miles away! A 3 hour drive each way on US 1. And no guaranty the root canal would be done that day. My appoint was for an "evaluation."
That is my point regarding "degree!" We do not have enough of what we need medically and dentally here in Key West!
My dentist believed the abcess had broken on its own during the night and that is why I was pain free when I saw him. But it could return! The penicillan would help kill the infection and so the pain. And if that did not work, I have a full bottle of pain killers!
I have decided to wait the 2 weeks till the ski trip is over.
Crazy weather. It has been warm. Low to high 80s. Then yesterday and today cold! Right now it is 66. The high today will only be 71. That is cold here in Key West, especially when your blood has thinned.
However tomorrow it turns again. Mid 80s the rest of the week. And the lows in the high 70s! Key West weather!
Passover is upon us. My good friend Donna does Seder every year. She makes it a requirement that her family all attend. A tough and respected mother, my Donna. They all come! Children and grandchildren. From every part of the US!
Donna has invited me to join her and her familly for Seder tonight. I am honored!
Golf this morning. I will be wearing a sweat shirt.
I venture no opinion on the quality of my game. Just once, however, I would enjoy a good round. Please, Lord!
One of its drawbacks is the degree of medical care. Note I said degree and not quality. What is here is good. However, not enough.
About 5 years ago I went into the local hospital with a ruptured appendix on a Sunday night. Six hours later I came out of surgery having lost not only my appendix, but also 25 per cent of my colon. The doctor thought I had cancer and removed a significant portion of my colon. The only problem, and a fortuante one, was that I did not have cancer.
The doctor made the decision I had cancer based on a sight observation. Since it was a Sunday night, the lab was closed and so no test of my colon tissue could be made to verify what turned out to be his erroneous determination.
Yesterday morning I was at the dentist's office bright and early to deal with the tooth ache of all tooth aches!
I woke yesterday morning with no pain. Surprising!
My dentist, who is a good one by the way, examined me and took x rays. He thinks I might have an abcess. Two teeth away from the new cap. The problem has nothing to do with the new cap. He tells me I need a root canal. No sweat. I have had them before.
Regular dentists do not do root canals. A specialist is required. He is called an endodontist.
My dentist gives me the root canal guy's telephone number, a prescription for penicillan and a prescription for a pain killer.
I telephone the endodontist. I cannot get an appointment until April 21st. Two weeks away! I tell the voice on the other end of the phone that my problem is today! If the pain returns, and I assume it will, what do I do? The pain is a killer!
She is matter of fact. No sympathy. Tells me her doctor only works in Key West 1 day a week. His practice is in Miami. And further he is on vacation presently up north skiing and will not return for 2 weeks.
OK. I can deal with that. Everyone deserves a vacation!
I telephone my dentist back and explain the problem to his assistant. She says she will get back to me. She does. My dentist suggests a doctor somebody in Key Largo. That is 120 miles away! A 3 hour drive each way on US 1. And no guaranty the root canal would be done that day. My appoint was for an "evaluation."
That is my point regarding "degree!" We do not have enough of what we need medically and dentally here in Key West!
My dentist believed the abcess had broken on its own during the night and that is why I was pain free when I saw him. But it could return! The penicillan would help kill the infection and so the pain. And if that did not work, I have a full bottle of pain killers!
I have decided to wait the 2 weeks till the ski trip is over.
Crazy weather. It has been warm. Low to high 80s. Then yesterday and today cold! Right now it is 66. The high today will only be 71. That is cold here in Key West, especially when your blood has thinned.
However tomorrow it turns again. Mid 80s the rest of the week. And the lows in the high 70s! Key West weather!
Passover is upon us. My good friend Donna does Seder every year. She makes it a requirement that her family all attend. A tough and respected mother, my Donna. They all come! Children and grandchildren. From every part of the US!
Donna has invited me to join her and her familly for Seder tonight. I am honored!
Golf this morning. I will be wearing a sweat shirt.
I venture no opinion on the quality of my game. Just once, however, I would enjoy a good round. Please, Lord!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
A lousy evening last night!
A painful one!
I had the tooth ache of all tooth aches! Throbbing! Pulsating! Even my ear hurt!
I think it has to do with the new cap I got a few weeks ago. Either that or I have a giant abcess.
Thank you, Dr. Lou!
Two aspirins did not help. Two Aleve an hour later did not help. I went downstairs and poured myself an 8 ounce glass of Beefeater gin. With no ice! Screw the triglycirides!
That did it! About an hour later I could have been hit in the head with a sledge hammer and would have felt no pain! Slept well. And no pain this morning! Though I do have a large lump below the tooth.
I see the dentist at 8:30 this morning. Help me, doctor!
My tooth ache makes everything else that occurred yesterday seem unimportant.
The basketball game was good last night! However Michigan State must have felt as I did! Hurting!
Congratulations to North Carolina! A fine basketball team! A destructive machine as they ran all over Michigan State. Especially in the first half.
Check in tomorrow to find out what caused a very bad time for me last night.
A painful one!
I had the tooth ache of all tooth aches! Throbbing! Pulsating! Even my ear hurt!
I think it has to do with the new cap I got a few weeks ago. Either that or I have a giant abcess.
Thank you, Dr. Lou!
Two aspirins did not help. Two Aleve an hour later did not help. I went downstairs and poured myself an 8 ounce glass of Beefeater gin. With no ice! Screw the triglycirides!
That did it! About an hour later I could have been hit in the head with a sledge hammer and would have felt no pain! Slept well. And no pain this morning! Though I do have a large lump below the tooth.
I see the dentist at 8:30 this morning. Help me, doctor!
My tooth ache makes everything else that occurred yesterday seem unimportant.
The basketball game was good last night! However Michigan State must have felt as I did! Hurting!
Congratulations to North Carolina! A fine basketball team! A destructive machine as they ran all over Michigan State. Especially in the first half.
Check in tomorrow to find out what caused a very bad time for me last night.
Monday, April 6, 2009
A good Sunday yesterday!
I stayed in bed late watching Meet the Press. Then it was off to the Pier House for lunch/brunch.
I bought the Sunday papers on the way in.
The weather is glorious here in Key West. I sat at a table at the Beach Bar. This gave me the opportunity to enjoy the weather and view. The view, of course, consisted of the beach and the bikini clad beauties thereon.
I had had a craving for ham and eggs all week. So ham and eggs it was!
Last night it was dinner at the Yacht Club with Lisa and the family. Corey's mom Karen is in for the week and she was with us also.
Robert and Ally have become good dinner companions. I remember when we first took them out to dinner. What a disaster! But they have learned.
I told Robert to bring his deck of cards. The grandkids are into card playing. Crazy 8s the game is called.
After dinner the 3 of us headed to an adjoining room to play. I do not know Crazy 8s. Robert 4 and Ally 3 were to teach me. Ally did most of the teaching. "You shuffle first." I shuffled. "Now give us each 5 cards." I did. "Put the deck in the middle of the table." I did. "Turn a card over." I did again as directed.
A real pro, this child Ally!
However that was the end of the lesson. No one explained to me how to actually play the game. I was picking up and throwing down wrong while they both gleefully destroyed me 2 games in a row!
The other night at the Chart Room Marty had a bag of pretzels. The long ones. He had brought them from home with him.
The pretzels got us to talking about days of old. A thing older people are prone to do. Nothing wrong with it. We have a lifetime of experiences to draw on!
It reminded me of my days at Rockaway Beach in New York City.
My mother's side of the family lived in New York. We were always visiting.
One summer the family took a place for 2 weeks in Far Rockaway.
You have to understand, rich we were not! So a "place" was quite rudimentary and basic. Even simpler than that!
We rented in a building about a block from the beach. It was a long 2 story wood structure. Rented rooms only. About a dozen to each floor.
My mother rented a room on the second floor. It was a simple small bedroom containing a double bed, dresser and small desk. No air conditioning, of course. Too soon. And only a shade on the one window. No curtains. No closet.
My aunt had a similar room.
My mother and I slept in one. My aunt in the other. My father would visit us on the weekends. My uncle and 2 cousins would visit my aunt on the weekends. And everyone slept in these 2 rooms.
The bathrooms were at the end of the hall on each floor. One for men and one for women. They consisted of a toilet and small sink. And the bathrooms were nothing more than small closets. No showers or bathtubs.
Sundays were big! We were an Italian family so pasta was the meal of the day! Except we called it macaroni back then!
My mother and aunt would boil water on a small hot stove, which they had brought with them, in one of the bedrooms. They would make the sauce from scratch. The pasta was generally rigatoni or ziti. Ziti today are popularly known as penne. Mozzarella would be melted on top of the macaroni when it was done.
And then we would all sit in that small room and enjoy Sunday dinner!
The pretzels now come into play.
There was a typical New York candy store nearby. New York City candy stores sold ice cream, soda, newspapers, cigarettes and, yes, pretzels. The long one's like Marty brought to the Chart Room. They cost a penny a piece in those days. I used to buy one a day.
Rockaway and the candy store was where I was introduced to chocolate egg creams. Two cents. Oh, so good!
A chocolate egg cream was egg in name only! It contained no eggs! A glass was given a shot of chocolate syrup. About a 1/2 inch. And then a bit of milk. Another 1/2 inch. Then seltzer water to fill the glass! Stirred and served. Tasted like a chocolate ice cream soda without ice cream!
I had not thought of a chocolate egg cream for many a year till Marty and I started chatting about Rockaway and pretzels. Turns out Marty had similar experiences at Manhattan Beach. Manhattan Beach is across the water from Rockaway. Marty grew up in Manhattan Beach. Except that his drink was a black and white. A chocolate ice cream soda with chocolate ice cream.
The next time I experienced a chocolate egg cream was about 35 years later when my oldest daughter Beth was getting married.
It was our first wedding. My wife had spent a year planning it. It was the week before the wedding. Tensions were running high in the house. I tend to be a bit anal and was no help. I was going crazy with the seating list for the dinner. Seating for such an event is a hard thing to do! You want evey one to have a good time. You must be sure not to seat 2 long time enemies at the same table. And so on.
Beth and my wife decided I was too much of a hindrance. They said go! Leave for a week and come back in time for the rehearsal dinner!
I was that bad!
So I went!
I decided to fly down to Naples. A new Ritz Carlton had just opened. It was reputed to have the finest art collection in its lobby. Since I was both painter and collector at the time, I decided to visit to the new Ritz Carlton.
The art exhibit sucked! I had better in my home!
However, the hotel itself was just beautiful!
Off the beach area in the basement of the building, the Ritz had an old time candy and soda store. The long counter with stool thing.
I visited. And guess what they were selling?
Chocolate egg creams!
I spent the week drinking them! The same taste and flavor. The same size. In fact, everything was the same except for the cost. Now $7! Thirty five years earlier in Far Rockaway, 2 cents!
And you have been subjected to all this because Marty brought long pretzel sticks to the Chart Room!
Be good to some one today!
I stayed in bed late watching Meet the Press. Then it was off to the Pier House for lunch/brunch.
I bought the Sunday papers on the way in.
The weather is glorious here in Key West. I sat at a table at the Beach Bar. This gave me the opportunity to enjoy the weather and view. The view, of course, consisted of the beach and the bikini clad beauties thereon.
I had had a craving for ham and eggs all week. So ham and eggs it was!
Last night it was dinner at the Yacht Club with Lisa and the family. Corey's mom Karen is in for the week and she was with us also.
Robert and Ally have become good dinner companions. I remember when we first took them out to dinner. What a disaster! But they have learned.
I told Robert to bring his deck of cards. The grandkids are into card playing. Crazy 8s the game is called.
After dinner the 3 of us headed to an adjoining room to play. I do not know Crazy 8s. Robert 4 and Ally 3 were to teach me. Ally did most of the teaching. "You shuffle first." I shuffled. "Now give us each 5 cards." I did. "Put the deck in the middle of the table." I did. "Turn a card over." I did again as directed.
A real pro, this child Ally!
However that was the end of the lesson. No one explained to me how to actually play the game. I was picking up and throwing down wrong while they both gleefully destroyed me 2 games in a row!
The other night at the Chart Room Marty had a bag of pretzels. The long ones. He had brought them from home with him.
The pretzels got us to talking about days of old. A thing older people are prone to do. Nothing wrong with it. We have a lifetime of experiences to draw on!
It reminded me of my days at Rockaway Beach in New York City.
My mother's side of the family lived in New York. We were always visiting.
One summer the family took a place for 2 weeks in Far Rockaway.
You have to understand, rich we were not! So a "place" was quite rudimentary and basic. Even simpler than that!
We rented in a building about a block from the beach. It was a long 2 story wood structure. Rented rooms only. About a dozen to each floor.
My mother rented a room on the second floor. It was a simple small bedroom containing a double bed, dresser and small desk. No air conditioning, of course. Too soon. And only a shade on the one window. No curtains. No closet.
My aunt had a similar room.
My mother and I slept in one. My aunt in the other. My father would visit us on the weekends. My uncle and 2 cousins would visit my aunt on the weekends. And everyone slept in these 2 rooms.
The bathrooms were at the end of the hall on each floor. One for men and one for women. They consisted of a toilet and small sink. And the bathrooms were nothing more than small closets. No showers or bathtubs.
Sundays were big! We were an Italian family so pasta was the meal of the day! Except we called it macaroni back then!
My mother and aunt would boil water on a small hot stove, which they had brought with them, in one of the bedrooms. They would make the sauce from scratch. The pasta was generally rigatoni or ziti. Ziti today are popularly known as penne. Mozzarella would be melted on top of the macaroni when it was done.
And then we would all sit in that small room and enjoy Sunday dinner!
The pretzels now come into play.
There was a typical New York candy store nearby. New York City candy stores sold ice cream, soda, newspapers, cigarettes and, yes, pretzels. The long one's like Marty brought to the Chart Room. They cost a penny a piece in those days. I used to buy one a day.
Rockaway and the candy store was where I was introduced to chocolate egg creams. Two cents. Oh, so good!
A chocolate egg cream was egg in name only! It contained no eggs! A glass was given a shot of chocolate syrup. About a 1/2 inch. And then a bit of milk. Another 1/2 inch. Then seltzer water to fill the glass! Stirred and served. Tasted like a chocolate ice cream soda without ice cream!
I had not thought of a chocolate egg cream for many a year till Marty and I started chatting about Rockaway and pretzels. Turns out Marty had similar experiences at Manhattan Beach. Manhattan Beach is across the water from Rockaway. Marty grew up in Manhattan Beach. Except that his drink was a black and white. A chocolate ice cream soda with chocolate ice cream.
The next time I experienced a chocolate egg cream was about 35 years later when my oldest daughter Beth was getting married.
It was our first wedding. My wife had spent a year planning it. It was the week before the wedding. Tensions were running high in the house. I tend to be a bit anal and was no help. I was going crazy with the seating list for the dinner. Seating for such an event is a hard thing to do! You want evey one to have a good time. You must be sure not to seat 2 long time enemies at the same table. And so on.
Beth and my wife decided I was too much of a hindrance. They said go! Leave for a week and come back in time for the rehearsal dinner!
I was that bad!
So I went!
I decided to fly down to Naples. A new Ritz Carlton had just opened. It was reputed to have the finest art collection in its lobby. Since I was both painter and collector at the time, I decided to visit to the new Ritz Carlton.
The art exhibit sucked! I had better in my home!
However, the hotel itself was just beautiful!
Off the beach area in the basement of the building, the Ritz had an old time candy and soda store. The long counter with stool thing.
I visited. And guess what they were selling?
Chocolate egg creams!
I spent the week drinking them! The same taste and flavor. The same size. In fact, everything was the same except for the cost. Now $7! Thirty five years earlier in Far Rockaway, 2 cents!
And you have been subjected to all this because Marty brought long pretzel sticks to the Chart Room!
Be good to some one today!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
March Madness!
It's upon us!
Love it!
I wanted to watch the games last night with other basketball nuts. And have something to eat at the same time. I decided upon Jack Flats on Duval.
The first game was at 6. I got there at 6. No room at the bar! No room anywhere! Jack Flats has a huge bar and huge screens. The whole world knew it and got there early. Except for me!
So I hopped in my car and drove up to Hogfish on Stock Island. Got a seat in front of a small screen TV. Something is better than nothing, however. I watched the first game and had a hogfish sandwich. The only trouble was they had a wild hillbilly band in and the backgrounnd noise was atrocious. Plus, I seemed to be the only one interested in the game!
Between games I hurried home to the peace and comfort of my bedroom and bed. And started watching the second game from there! The only problem is I fell asleep almost immediately and missed the North Carolina/Villanova game!
Michigan State was outstanding in the first game beating Connecticut. Michigan State is on a run! They seem to be peaking at a perfect time! I was especially impressed with their defense. It kept Connecticut on its heels the whole game!
I had to look on the internet this morning to see that North Carolina destroyed Villanova. Too bad! I thought Villanova might go all the way.
Monday night's championship game is going to be wild! I assume North Carolina will be favored. They do have the best team at this stage. However, you never know. If the Michigan State tide keeps swelling, it just could overwhelm North Carolina.
It is Sunday! Not sure yet what I will do. Definitely will see the grandkids. They now play cards. Crazy 8s. I do not know how to play the game. Robert and Ally are going to teach me. Exciting!
Have a good day!
It's upon us!
Love it!
I wanted to watch the games last night with other basketball nuts. And have something to eat at the same time. I decided upon Jack Flats on Duval.
The first game was at 6. I got there at 6. No room at the bar! No room anywhere! Jack Flats has a huge bar and huge screens. The whole world knew it and got there early. Except for me!
So I hopped in my car and drove up to Hogfish on Stock Island. Got a seat in front of a small screen TV. Something is better than nothing, however. I watched the first game and had a hogfish sandwich. The only trouble was they had a wild hillbilly band in and the backgrounnd noise was atrocious. Plus, I seemed to be the only one interested in the game!
Between games I hurried home to the peace and comfort of my bedroom and bed. And started watching the second game from there! The only problem is I fell asleep almost immediately and missed the North Carolina/Villanova game!
Michigan State was outstanding in the first game beating Connecticut. Michigan State is on a run! They seem to be peaking at a perfect time! I was especially impressed with their defense. It kept Connecticut on its heels the whole game!
I had to look on the internet this morning to see that North Carolina destroyed Villanova. Too bad! I thought Villanova might go all the way.
Monday night's championship game is going to be wild! I assume North Carolina will be favored. They do have the best team at this stage. However, you never know. If the Michigan State tide keeps swelling, it just could overwhelm North Carolina.
It is Sunday! Not sure yet what I will do. Definitely will see the grandkids. They now play cards. Crazy 8s. I do not know how to play the game. Robert and Ally are going to teach me. Exciting!
Have a good day!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
I received an interesting piece of mail yesterday.
It was obviously an advertisement. I rarely open such pieces. However the envelope intrigued me and so I did.
It was from a major hotel chain. Advised I had won a 3 day/2 night stay free at any one of its hotels in the United States. Not a big deal in and of itself. The next paragraph had a dark gray circle that had to be scrapped. Three additional awards were available. The best was two free round trip airline tickets to any major city in the United States.
I scrapped. Something I never do! I won the two free airline tickets! Wow!
So I telephoned the number listed to advise I wanted to take advantage of the stay and that I had additionally won the 2 airline tickets.
A charming lady answered. I sensed young. Age not important, however.
I gave her my name and address. She congratulated me. Then she told me I had to answer some qualifying questions. I countered, " What is this qualifying stuff? My letter said I had won the stay and airline tickets." She was adamant. "No. You have to qualify." I should have known at this point that something was amiss!
The first question was, "Are you married or living in a relationship with someone?" I responded, "I am married and not living in a relationship with someone." I then volunteered that I did not live with my wife, that she lived in upstate New York and I in Key West. She said, "You do not qualify." " Why", I asked. She said, "Because you do not live with your wife."
We discussed the issue for a moment. She finally saw my point of view that it was better to be married and living apaprt than living in sin in an unmarried relationship. All bullshit, of course.
She insisted however that there were further questions and I still had to qualify. Shoot, I said.
Her next question was, "Are you between 35 and 72 years of age?" "No", I said, " I am 73." Her immediate response was, "You do not qualify!" "Age discrimination", I said. She could sense I was a bit unhappy. Not because I was not getting the free trip. I could care less. But the stupidity and insult of the whole thing was too much! Especially from a large and respected hotel chain!
Now she was stumbling for words. "Don't blame me. They told me I had to ask these questions! You have to qualify!"
End of telephone conversation. I said good bye and hung up. And surprisingly, I actually felt sorry for the young lady!
My haircut yesterday morning went well with Lori. Always does.
Afterwards I went to the Coffee House on Duval for a coffee and to read the papers.
I have noticed the past couple of weeks a very decided increase in business at the Coffee House. I attribute it to the recession. It's cheaper to have coffee and a bagel there than breakfast or lunch at a restaurant.
Last night started at the Chart Room. People. Noise. Good company.
I hooked up with Marty. He wanted to eat at La Marquesa. I rarely eat there so it would be a treat.
We ate at the bar. Seated next to Marty was an attractive lady. Mid 50s. Obviously a tourist.
We started chatting.
Turns out she is from Indiana. Every one I meet lately seems to be from Indiana.
Her name is Mary. She is a physiotherapist. Owns her own business which has 3 locations. She also owns a time share in Key West which brings her here once a year.
An intelligent and interesting woman!
The conversation got around to politics and the role of government. Mary is from the far right! Far far! Her heroes, and she proudly pronounces them as such, are Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. She is not a fan of Obama. And that is an understatement! She fears a socialistic government and fears we are heading that way for the long term.
I enjoyed our conversation with Mary. Though I disagree with her. I am basically a moderate with a left leaning. She tilts the boat! Mary was a woman of conviction, saw her thoughts clearly and knew how to enunciate them. She should run for Congress!
After dinner, I stopped at the Keys Piano Bar for a nightcap. Bobby Nesbitt was there. He had earlier sung for cocktail hour.
We talked about Terri White. I told him I had spoken with Donna and Terri earlier in the day. They were driving that truck/u haul back and were somewhere around Richmond, Virginia. They had copies of the reviews with them. Terri said all the reviews were good. The show was a hit. Backers were already in line and she anticipatged a full Broadway opening for November. Terri also received very laudatory comments for her part.
Bobby had seen the reviews. He was duly impressed by it all. I was impressed that he was impressed! This Finian's Wake revival is a big thing for the show and for Terri! She had to leave New York to be rediscovered! Amazing!
To put this all in perspective, things got tough for Terri in New York City last year. She could not get a job. She spent a month sleeping nights on a park bench in Central Park.
Go, Terri, go! We are all proud of you! We are all happy for you!
Jill wrote to me yesterday. A blog reader. She and her family are coming to Key West in a week. On a Sunday. She asked about Sunday traffic. Jill, Sunday is the best day to drive US 1. There is little to no traffic on a Sunday morning. Enjoy the drive! The scenery is absolutely outstanding! Ocean on both sides as far as the eye can see! Though be aware the speed limit is genrally low and it will take 4 hours to make the 150 mile trip. It's all part of the experience! And forget about ferry service Miami to Key West. None exists.
Today is Saturday. What will I do? I don't know. Isn't that nice?
It was obviously an advertisement. I rarely open such pieces. However the envelope intrigued me and so I did.
It was from a major hotel chain. Advised I had won a 3 day/2 night stay free at any one of its hotels in the United States. Not a big deal in and of itself. The next paragraph had a dark gray circle that had to be scrapped. Three additional awards were available. The best was two free round trip airline tickets to any major city in the United States.
I scrapped. Something I never do! I won the two free airline tickets! Wow!
So I telephoned the number listed to advise I wanted to take advantage of the stay and that I had additionally won the 2 airline tickets.
A charming lady answered. I sensed young. Age not important, however.
I gave her my name and address. She congratulated me. Then she told me I had to answer some qualifying questions. I countered, " What is this qualifying stuff? My letter said I had won the stay and airline tickets." She was adamant. "No. You have to qualify." I should have known at this point that something was amiss!
The first question was, "Are you married or living in a relationship with someone?" I responded, "I am married and not living in a relationship with someone." I then volunteered that I did not live with my wife, that she lived in upstate New York and I in Key West. She said, "You do not qualify." " Why", I asked. She said, "Because you do not live with your wife."
We discussed the issue for a moment. She finally saw my point of view that it was better to be married and living apaprt than living in sin in an unmarried relationship. All bullshit, of course.
She insisted however that there were further questions and I still had to qualify. Shoot, I said.
Her next question was, "Are you between 35 and 72 years of age?" "No", I said, " I am 73." Her immediate response was, "You do not qualify!" "Age discrimination", I said. She could sense I was a bit unhappy. Not because I was not getting the free trip. I could care less. But the stupidity and insult of the whole thing was too much! Especially from a large and respected hotel chain!
Now she was stumbling for words. "Don't blame me. They told me I had to ask these questions! You have to qualify!"
End of telephone conversation. I said good bye and hung up. And surprisingly, I actually felt sorry for the young lady!
My haircut yesterday morning went well with Lori. Always does.
Afterwards I went to the Coffee House on Duval for a coffee and to read the papers.
I have noticed the past couple of weeks a very decided increase in business at the Coffee House. I attribute it to the recession. It's cheaper to have coffee and a bagel there than breakfast or lunch at a restaurant.
Last night started at the Chart Room. People. Noise. Good company.
I hooked up with Marty. He wanted to eat at La Marquesa. I rarely eat there so it would be a treat.
We ate at the bar. Seated next to Marty was an attractive lady. Mid 50s. Obviously a tourist.
We started chatting.
Turns out she is from Indiana. Every one I meet lately seems to be from Indiana.
Her name is Mary. She is a physiotherapist. Owns her own business which has 3 locations. She also owns a time share in Key West which brings her here once a year.
An intelligent and interesting woman!
The conversation got around to politics and the role of government. Mary is from the far right! Far far! Her heroes, and she proudly pronounces them as such, are Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. She is not a fan of Obama. And that is an understatement! She fears a socialistic government and fears we are heading that way for the long term.
I enjoyed our conversation with Mary. Though I disagree with her. I am basically a moderate with a left leaning. She tilts the boat! Mary was a woman of conviction, saw her thoughts clearly and knew how to enunciate them. She should run for Congress!
After dinner, I stopped at the Keys Piano Bar for a nightcap. Bobby Nesbitt was there. He had earlier sung for cocktail hour.
We talked about Terri White. I told him I had spoken with Donna and Terri earlier in the day. They were driving that truck/u haul back and were somewhere around Richmond, Virginia. They had copies of the reviews with them. Terri said all the reviews were good. The show was a hit. Backers were already in line and she anticipatged a full Broadway opening for November. Terri also received very laudatory comments for her part.
Bobby had seen the reviews. He was duly impressed by it all. I was impressed that he was impressed! This Finian's Wake revival is a big thing for the show and for Terri! She had to leave New York to be rediscovered! Amazing!
To put this all in perspective, things got tough for Terri in New York City last year. She could not get a job. She spent a month sleeping nights on a park bench in Central Park.
Go, Terri, go! We are all proud of you! We are all happy for you!
Jill wrote to me yesterday. A blog reader. She and her family are coming to Key West in a week. On a Sunday. She asked about Sunday traffic. Jill, Sunday is the best day to drive US 1. There is little to no traffic on a Sunday morning. Enjoy the drive! The scenery is absolutely outstanding! Ocean on both sides as far as the eye can see! Though be aware the speed limit is genrally low and it will take 4 hours to make the 150 mile trip. It's all part of the experience! And forget about ferry service Miami to Key West. None exists.
Today is Saturday. What will I do? I don't know. Isn't that nice?
Friday, April 3, 2009
Good morning world!
The weather here in Key West is spectacular! Sun all over the place!
I had to see the doctor again yesterday. The aging body requires constant attention. The human body is like a car. Needs tune ups! Keeps the parts functioning properly! Keeps us functioning properly!
I did a body scan. I have a bad case of osteporosis. I will be a hunched over old man, if I make it that long!
So I am now on Bovina. One tablet a month. Supposed to stop the problem and actually improve the situation after about a year.
It's in the blood. My soon to be 95 year old father has lost 6-7 inches over the years. His 98 year old sister in New York City has lost more.
Bocci last night was again a disaster! We lost all 3 games! It has been weeks since we have won even one game. Beginning to become discouraging!
We only made a battle of the last game, losing 16-13. The first 2 games were total destruction!
I wish the season would end! We need a new beginning!
Sex is prevelant on the golf course!
When I was playing golf a few days ago, I ran into a first.
Ducks are all over the golf course. I have always seen adult ducks. Never baby ducks. Wednesday I saw a mother duck and 10 little ducks walking behind her. Just like the mother hen and her chickies. Baby ducks look just like chickies. Maybe they were chickies, transplanted. Who knows!
Anyhow, nature moves on. The ducks are propagating. They will continue to flourish and together with the iguanas will some day rule the golf course.
The word is in! Terri's Broadway show Finian's Rainbow was a success! The reviews lauded it. Including the New York Times.
Now we shall see whether backers come forward to throw it into a full time long run production!
Donna and Terri called yesterday and left a voice mail. They start their return trip today driving a truck back to Key West. The two of them! God help us!
Life is good! I have a haircut scheduled this morning. With Lori!
Enjoy your day!
The weather here in Key West is spectacular! Sun all over the place!
I had to see the doctor again yesterday. The aging body requires constant attention. The human body is like a car. Needs tune ups! Keeps the parts functioning properly! Keeps us functioning properly!
I did a body scan. I have a bad case of osteporosis. I will be a hunched over old man, if I make it that long!
So I am now on Bovina. One tablet a month. Supposed to stop the problem and actually improve the situation after about a year.
It's in the blood. My soon to be 95 year old father has lost 6-7 inches over the years. His 98 year old sister in New York City has lost more.
Bocci last night was again a disaster! We lost all 3 games! It has been weeks since we have won even one game. Beginning to become discouraging!
We only made a battle of the last game, losing 16-13. The first 2 games were total destruction!
I wish the season would end! We need a new beginning!
Sex is prevelant on the golf course!
When I was playing golf a few days ago, I ran into a first.
Ducks are all over the golf course. I have always seen adult ducks. Never baby ducks. Wednesday I saw a mother duck and 10 little ducks walking behind her. Just like the mother hen and her chickies. Baby ducks look just like chickies. Maybe they were chickies, transplanted. Who knows!
Anyhow, nature moves on. The ducks are propagating. They will continue to flourish and together with the iguanas will some day rule the golf course.
The word is in! Terri's Broadway show Finian's Rainbow was a success! The reviews lauded it. Including the New York Times.
Now we shall see whether backers come forward to throw it into a full time long run production!
Donna and Terri called yesterday and left a voice mail. They start their return trip today driving a truck back to Key West. The two of them! God help us!
Life is good! I have a haircut scheduled this morning. With Lori!
Enjoy your day!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
It is humid this morning. Not bad. It rests on your skin. A good feeling! Especially after the unusually cold winter we had here in Key West.
I slept late. So the sun is up, bright yellow, the water blue and the palm trees green. The colors are dramatic! The sun brings them out.
Golf yesterday!
My usuual disaster!
However.....I had 2 pars! Made for a big day for me!
I did get tired from a lack of sleep the night before. The fault of my loud tourist neighbors! The back nine was like digging ditches!
So after golf I came home and climbed in bed! Took a 3 hour nap!
Last night I started out at Aqua with Bobby Nesbitt. Always good!
Then to La Trattoria for what I thought would be dinner alone at the bar. I was happily mistaken!
It was Beecha's night off. She was at the bar enjoying. She moved over to sit next to me. She said, "I want to sit next to you, Louis." Made my night!
Later on Marty came in for dinner. Beecha was gone. So I had coffee with Marty while he ate. No disrespect to Marty, but he was a poor substituite for Beecha!
Then home to bed for a good night's sleep! Before 9!
Business is obviously down. Restaurants and bars are not crowded. The boats are not going out every day. The hotels/motels less than full.
Not as it should be. The season is not yet over. But this recession affects every thing and every one. People either do not have money or if they have it, are afraid to spend the money. Properly so! Which leaves a tourist community such as Key West suffering a bit.
All are participating one way or another in this recesson. It touches us all.
Tonight bocci! The team that was so good last season, our team, continues to wallow in last place. We have not won even 1 game in weeks. But we are undaunted! We shall survive! And we shall return! Next season!
I slept late. So the sun is up, bright yellow, the water blue and the palm trees green. The colors are dramatic! The sun brings them out.
Golf yesterday!
My usuual disaster!
However.....I had 2 pars! Made for a big day for me!
I did get tired from a lack of sleep the night before. The fault of my loud tourist neighbors! The back nine was like digging ditches!
So after golf I came home and climbed in bed! Took a 3 hour nap!
Last night I started out at Aqua with Bobby Nesbitt. Always good!
Then to La Trattoria for what I thought would be dinner alone at the bar. I was happily mistaken!
It was Beecha's night off. She was at the bar enjoying. She moved over to sit next to me. She said, "I want to sit next to you, Louis." Made my night!
Later on Marty came in for dinner. Beecha was gone. So I had coffee with Marty while he ate. No disrespect to Marty, but he was a poor substituite for Beecha!
Then home to bed for a good night's sleep! Before 9!
Business is obviously down. Restaurants and bars are not crowded. The boats are not going out every day. The hotels/motels less than full.
Not as it should be. The season is not yet over. But this recession affects every thing and every one. People either do not have money or if they have it, are afraid to spend the money. Properly so! Which leaves a tourist community such as Key West suffering a bit.
All are participating one way or another in this recesson. It touches us all.
Tonight bocci! The team that was so good last season, our team, continues to wallow in last place. We have not won even 1 game in weeks. But we are undaunted! We shall survive! And we shall return! Next season!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
It's 2 in the morning and I am awake!
There are some tourists staying next door and they are whooping it up big time outside by their pool. Music and yelling and that sort of thing. It's like trying to sleep on Duval outside Sloppy Joe's at this time of night!
Yesterday I lunched with an old friend. One I had not seen in about 7 years.
Her name is Ann.
I first met Ann back in the early 1960s when she was a young reporter for the Utica Observor Dispatch. Then she moved on. Boston and Delaware. Married. At some point ended up an interior decorator in Delaware.
We lost touch. And then ran into each other about 7 years ago when she and her husband retired to Big Pine. A small world!
She was visiting my Key West home and her decorating nature came out. She told me I needed an oriental rug in the living room. And that is where my oriental came from! And also the huge wood coffee table that sits on it!
Then we lost contact again. Big Pine is only 30 miles away, but for some 3,000.
Last week Ann discovered this blog. She sent me an e mail advising of her monumental discovery! The result was lunch yesterday.
It is good to cross paths again with an old friend. Especially one of 50 years ago!
We had long pleasant lunch on the deck at the Pier House.
Yankee Jack came into the conversation. Turns out she is good friends with Yankee and Katey.
Then to Lisa's. Still home. She seemed a bit better. This walking pneumonia takes a long time to kick. I spent a couple of hours with Lisa.
Last night I was tired and decided to spend a quiet evening at home. And, of course, get a good night's sleep! Which I am obviously not getting!
Golf today. About 7 hours away.
At least I will have a good excuse for playing poorly. I did not get enough sleep!
There are some tourists staying next door and they are whooping it up big time outside by their pool. Music and yelling and that sort of thing. It's like trying to sleep on Duval outside Sloppy Joe's at this time of night!
Yesterday I lunched with an old friend. One I had not seen in about 7 years.
Her name is Ann.
I first met Ann back in the early 1960s when she was a young reporter for the Utica Observor Dispatch. Then she moved on. Boston and Delaware. Married. At some point ended up an interior decorator in Delaware.
We lost touch. And then ran into each other about 7 years ago when she and her husband retired to Big Pine. A small world!
She was visiting my Key West home and her decorating nature came out. She told me I needed an oriental rug in the living room. And that is where my oriental came from! And also the huge wood coffee table that sits on it!
Then we lost contact again. Big Pine is only 30 miles away, but for some 3,000.
Last week Ann discovered this blog. She sent me an e mail advising of her monumental discovery! The result was lunch yesterday.
It is good to cross paths again with an old friend. Especially one of 50 years ago!
We had long pleasant lunch on the deck at the Pier House.
Yankee Jack came into the conversation. Turns out she is good friends with Yankee and Katey.
Then to Lisa's. Still home. She seemed a bit better. This walking pneumonia takes a long time to kick. I spent a couple of hours with Lisa.
Last night I was tired and decided to spend a quiet evening at home. And, of course, get a good night's sleep! Which I am obviously not getting!
Golf today. About 7 hours away.
At least I will have a good excuse for playing poorly. I did not get enough sleep!
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