I was home doing paperwork yesterday afternoon when Lisa called. She had taken Robert and Ally to the doctor for their annual check ups. Poor Ally got 4 shots. She was still crying. Lisa said, "I'm on my way over!"
Ally was red eyed when she arrived. Lisa said she did not cry when the shots were given. She started when she got in the car.
My poor baby!
I soothed things over by giving her and Robert ice cream. Ice cream fixes everything!
Last night I chatted with Marty and Sean at the Chart Room. I don't recall what we talked about, but I do remember I thought it was an intelligent conversation at the time. This getting old is a pain!
Marty and I had dinner at Marquesa. I do not like Marquesa. Marty does. So I occasionally go to appease him.
Last night Marty bought dinner. I am glad he did. It was not worth the money. We both had veal. Tough! We both complained.
I had a couple of olives in my gin. I ate the first without looking. The second I took a peek at. Fortunately! It had blue spots! Spoiled!
It will be a long time before I eat at Marquesa again! Regardless of who pays!
Have a good day!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
A very pleasant Sunday yesterday!
Normally I do Sunday dinner with Lisa and the family. However, Kathleen Peace was singing at the Gardens around dinner time and I did not want to miss her. So I did lunch with Lisa instead.
The thrill never leaves! When I open that door and Robert and Ally shout Poppa!
Lunch was good. The grandkids talked my ears off. Then I sat and read the Sunday papers and watched a bit of golf on TV. Lisa and I talked father/daughter stuff.
Afterwards, I stopped at Borders. Still reading Wolfe's Renegade about the Obama election. I am at the point of the New Hamphire primary campaign. Hillary thinks she is going to lose. Obama and his team are confident. So confident they fail to do things they should have. Clinton has just had her tearful episode.
Even though I know the ending of the New Hampshire primary, it is exciting to read!
Layed around the rest of the afternoon watching some great golf. Perry was sharp! Enjoyed some precision shots!
Then to the Gardens! I was excited! Absolutely love Kathleen Peace's voice!
One problem, however. Kathleen was not there! Instead Raven Cooper was. Something had happened to Kathleen and Raven was filling in for her.
I had only heard Raven sing once before. She did nothing for me. However, last night I thought she was spectacular! So did every one else! What a great evening of music!
Kate Miano reigned over the gathering. Her Gardens is so spectaular! As was she last night! She looked terrific!
Chatted with some other lovely ladies and gentleman, as well. And Marty, too! He showed up.
It was close weatherwise last night. You had to have breeze. Otherwise the humidity was a killer!
So Marty and I decided to have dinner at Southernmost's Beachside Cafe. We determined first that there was a strong breeze coming off the Atlantic. Beachside is located on the Atlantic.
And we were right! The breeze and weather were perfect! Also, the view! What a sight sitting out there on the open ocean!
We also got an added bonus! There was a small wedding on the beach with the reception on the beach also. A beautiful young bride and wedding party. A lovely white tent. A happy family occasion.
That was my Sunday. Not bad! Actually quite good!
Enjoy your day!
Normally I do Sunday dinner with Lisa and the family. However, Kathleen Peace was singing at the Gardens around dinner time and I did not want to miss her. So I did lunch with Lisa instead.
The thrill never leaves! When I open that door and Robert and Ally shout Poppa!
Lunch was good. The grandkids talked my ears off. Then I sat and read the Sunday papers and watched a bit of golf on TV. Lisa and I talked father/daughter stuff.
Afterwards, I stopped at Borders. Still reading Wolfe's Renegade about the Obama election. I am at the point of the New Hamphire primary campaign. Hillary thinks she is going to lose. Obama and his team are confident. So confident they fail to do things they should have. Clinton has just had her tearful episode.
Even though I know the ending of the New Hampshire primary, it is exciting to read!
Layed around the rest of the afternoon watching some great golf. Perry was sharp! Enjoyed some precision shots!
Then to the Gardens! I was excited! Absolutely love Kathleen Peace's voice!
One problem, however. Kathleen was not there! Instead Raven Cooper was. Something had happened to Kathleen and Raven was filling in for her.
I had only heard Raven sing once before. She did nothing for me. However, last night I thought she was spectacular! So did every one else! What a great evening of music!
Kate Miano reigned over the gathering. Her Gardens is so spectaular! As was she last night! She looked terrific!
Chatted with some other lovely ladies and gentleman, as well. And Marty, too! He showed up.
It was close weatherwise last night. You had to have breeze. Otherwise the humidity was a killer!
So Marty and I decided to have dinner at Southernmost's Beachside Cafe. We determined first that there was a strong breeze coming off the Atlantic. Beachside is located on the Atlantic.
And we were right! The breeze and weather were perfect! Also, the view! What a sight sitting out there on the open ocean!
We also got an added bonus! There was a small wedding on the beach with the reception on the beach also. A beautiful young bride and wedding party. A lovely white tent. A happy family occasion.
That was my Sunday. Not bad! Actually quite good!
Enjoy your day!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday!
A day of rest! Read the papers! Lay around! Love it!
Yesterday it rained again. Off and on. When it rains in the keys, it is a minor monson for about 10 minutes. Comes in fast and leaves just as fast. But when it is coming down, watch out!
I had gone to Hogfish for lunch. I was sitting under the thastched roof. All of a sudden, the rain blew in. Fortunately the roof covered me sufficiently.
Just as I climbed into bed Friday night, I received a telephone call from Susan. I had not heard from her in several months. She told me that she and her husband Merle were at the Wine Galley talking with Larry Smith. We had apparently just missed each other. She said it was time to have dinner together again. So last night I was their guest at La Trattoria.
Nice people! Interesting people!
Merle is 70. Susan 60. Married 15 years. Second marriages for both.
Merle is an economist. He is an economic loss expert and testifies in lawsuits. Susan is a psychologist. She has her own practice.
They live in Stuart. Own a second home in Truman Annex. They love Key West!
We had a perfect evening! The conversation was far reaching, interesting and in many instances humorous. The food great! And my bartender friend Kathy was waiting tables last night and waited on us!
After dinner, it was still early. So I stopped at the Chart Room. No one there, except Michael the bartender. I had a diet coke and chatted with him for a while. Then home to bed.
Still dark outside. I am up early. The sun is not. The sun's sleeping patterns are more consistent than mine!
Kathleen Peace is singing tonight at the Gardens. Kathleen is one of my favorite female singers in
Key West. An explosive voice! It will be a fantastic evening!
Enjoy your Sunday!
A day of rest! Read the papers! Lay around! Love it!
Yesterday it rained again. Off and on. When it rains in the keys, it is a minor monson for about 10 minutes. Comes in fast and leaves just as fast. But when it is coming down, watch out!
I had gone to Hogfish for lunch. I was sitting under the thastched roof. All of a sudden, the rain blew in. Fortunately the roof covered me sufficiently.
Just as I climbed into bed Friday night, I received a telephone call from Susan. I had not heard from her in several months. She told me that she and her husband Merle were at the Wine Galley talking with Larry Smith. We had apparently just missed each other. She said it was time to have dinner together again. So last night I was their guest at La Trattoria.
Nice people! Interesting people!
Merle is 70. Susan 60. Married 15 years. Second marriages for both.
Merle is an economist. He is an economic loss expert and testifies in lawsuits. Susan is a psychologist. She has her own practice.
They live in Stuart. Own a second home in Truman Annex. They love Key West!
We had a perfect evening! The conversation was far reaching, interesting and in many instances humorous. The food great! And my bartender friend Kathy was waiting tables last night and waited on us!
After dinner, it was still early. So I stopped at the Chart Room. No one there, except Michael the bartender. I had a diet coke and chatted with him for a while. Then home to bed.
Still dark outside. I am up early. The sun is not. The sun's sleeping patterns are more consistent than mine!
Kathleen Peace is singing tonight at the Gardens. Kathleen is one of my favorite female singers in
Key West. An explosive voice! It will be a fantastic evening!
Enjoy your Sunday!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Good morning world!
A nice day in the making outside! We need it! Rained heavy again yesterday. A day of pure unadulterated sunshine required!
Started yesterday at Publix. The cupboard was bare! Needed necessities. Like bread, butter, yogurt and fruit.
Spent the rest of the day inside doing paperwork. And listening to the pouring rain!
The Chart Room was my first stop last night. A good time! Marty, Captain Peter, Che and Sheila.
Where to have dinner? The major decision of the day! We finally decided to stay right at the Pier House and eat at the bar in the Wine Galley. Larry Smith was playing.
So Marty and the Captain and I headed to the Wine Galley. We lost Che and Sheila on the way. Che had something cooking at home. Sheila was tired and wanted to sleep.
Larry was outstanding last night! A real talent! A great entertainer! He has a way of making every one feel happy.
Met some interesting people at the Wine Galley.
Rich and Mary Jim! Happy souls! Live off Boca chica. Not on Boca Chica! They live on a boat! Adventurous people!
John and Philippine were there also. They live on Cudjo Key. Not together. They are two souls who have come together late in life. They appear enamoured and happy. But have decided to conform to old ways and maintain separate residences.
Phillippine is an interesting name. Thought it was Italian. Close to Philomena. When I was young, my grandmother had several lady friends named Philomena. Not Italian, however. German. The old country names do stick!
Catain Peter left us right after dinner. He did not want to drink too much. He had to drive out to his boat.
The Captain lives on a sailboat about 2 miles off shore. He dingies in and back each day. He has a light and small motor.
It was already dark when he left. He was not concerned. He has been doing it for years.
Marty and I chatted for awhile. He had flown to Fort Myers and back on a private charter during the day. A friend had business there. Marty had no work. So Marty kept him company on the flight and shopped all day while his friend was working. What a life!
The weather looks terrific outside my window. I hope it stays this way all day. We have had enough rain the past few days.
Do something good for someone today! Come back and visit with me tomorrow!
A nice day in the making outside! We need it! Rained heavy again yesterday. A day of pure unadulterated sunshine required!
Started yesterday at Publix. The cupboard was bare! Needed necessities. Like bread, butter, yogurt and fruit.
Spent the rest of the day inside doing paperwork. And listening to the pouring rain!
The Chart Room was my first stop last night. A good time! Marty, Captain Peter, Che and Sheila.
Where to have dinner? The major decision of the day! We finally decided to stay right at the Pier House and eat at the bar in the Wine Galley. Larry Smith was playing.
So Marty and the Captain and I headed to the Wine Galley. We lost Che and Sheila on the way. Che had something cooking at home. Sheila was tired and wanted to sleep.
Larry was outstanding last night! A real talent! A great entertainer! He has a way of making every one feel happy.
Met some interesting people at the Wine Galley.
Rich and Mary Jim! Happy souls! Live off Boca chica. Not on Boca Chica! They live on a boat! Adventurous people!
John and Philippine were there also. They live on Cudjo Key. Not together. They are two souls who have come together late in life. They appear enamoured and happy. But have decided to conform to old ways and maintain separate residences.
Phillippine is an interesting name. Thought it was Italian. Close to Philomena. When I was young, my grandmother had several lady friends named Philomena. Not Italian, however. German. The old country names do stick!
Catain Peter left us right after dinner. He did not want to drink too much. He had to drive out to his boat.
The Captain lives on a sailboat about 2 miles off shore. He dingies in and back each day. He has a light and small motor.
It was already dark when he left. He was not concerned. He has been doing it for years.
Marty and I chatted for awhile. He had flown to Fort Myers and back on a private charter during the day. A friend had business there. Marty had no work. So Marty kept him company on the flight and shopped all day while his friend was working. What a life!
The weather looks terrific outside my window. I hope it stays this way all day. We have had enough rain the past few days.
Do something good for someone today! Come back and visit with me tomorrow!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Rained like hell yesterday! Right up to dinner time. I had to wear a slicker when I went out last night.
We are into the rainy season in the keys. This morning looks good. Over cast, but the sun breaking through. A cool breeze.
The rain kept me in all day. I would have stayed in any how. So the rain is not an excuse. I had paper work to do.
Last night was a quiet one. Not too many people out and about. The rain kept the hordes in.
Stopped for a moment at the Chart Room. Saw Marty and Captain Peter. Then off to the Hot Tin Roof for a light dinner at the bar.
Met some fascinating people at the bar. Tourists. From all over. Good conversations.
Then home to an early bed again.
Yesterday was an unforunate one. A double death. Two celebraties who impacted the world! Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.
I was never a big Jackson fan. A question of taste. He and his music did nothing for me. A personal thing. However, he touched many in the world! Yes, world! As is evidenced by the reaction to the news of his death. He was a talent, a cult figure.
Farrah Fawcvett I liked! Enjoyed! A beauty. Charlie's Angels star! Loved her smile! Loved her hair!
I don't think she ever achieved the notoriety and following of Michael Jackson. But, she was up there! Her cancer death touched the world.
Two earthly stars are now in the sky! Shining on all of us to the end of time!
I am out of food. So I cannot have breakfast in this morning. Have to grocery shop! Breakfast will shortly be at Paradise Cafe. Cuban toast and coffee. Wish you were here to join me!
Have a good day!
We are into the rainy season in the keys. This morning looks good. Over cast, but the sun breaking through. A cool breeze.
The rain kept me in all day. I would have stayed in any how. So the rain is not an excuse. I had paper work to do.
Last night was a quiet one. Not too many people out and about. The rain kept the hordes in.
Stopped for a moment at the Chart Room. Saw Marty and Captain Peter. Then off to the Hot Tin Roof for a light dinner at the bar.
Met some fascinating people at the bar. Tourists. From all over. Good conversations.
Then home to an early bed again.
Yesterday was an unforunate one. A double death. Two celebraties who impacted the world! Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.
I was never a big Jackson fan. A question of taste. He and his music did nothing for me. A personal thing. However, he touched many in the world! Yes, world! As is evidenced by the reaction to the news of his death. He was a talent, a cult figure.
Farrah Fawcvett I liked! Enjoyed! A beauty. Charlie's Angels star! Loved her smile! Loved her hair!
I don't think she ever achieved the notoriety and following of Michael Jackson. But, she was up there! Her cancer death touched the world.
Two earthly stars are now in the sky! Shining on all of us to the end of time!
I am out of food. So I cannot have breakfast in this morning. Have to grocery shop! Breakfast will shortly be at Paradise Cafe. Cuban toast and coffee. Wish you were here to join me!
Have a good day!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
It is raining big time outside! Gray all over. Yet, cool and refreshing!
I love the sound of rain! Always have! Especially along the ocean!
You can see it, feel it and taste it!
Me thinks it is going to rain like this all day. Every now and then it happens, even in Key West!
Golf was wet yesterday. Like the U.S. Open!
We got in 2 holes. Then sat at the Club House for 2 hours waiting for the storm to subside. We finally finished 18, but late in the afternoon.
I played OK. Nothing great. My usual suck game! But I won $3! Don and Larry won big time! Aaron and Randy lost big time! I was happy to have broken even with my $3 in winnings!
Marty met me last night at Aqua to hear Bobby Nesbitt. Great, as usual! I especially enjoy when Bobby and Mark Watson sing a duet together. Terrific!
I was Marty's guest for dinner afterwards at Antonia's. Fettucine a la checa! A wow! Delicious!
Then as usual home to an early bed. I needed my sleep. I was exhausted from the golf! I even over slept this morning.
I wish you were all here to experience the falling rain from my window. It looks good! It tastes good! The slight breeze feels good! All nice!
Glad I was not planning to play golf this morning! No way!
I will never finish the Truman book. Long! I keep interrupting my reading of it by switching to another novel.
Robert Wolfe is a reporter/commentator who appears on MSNBC often. Morning Joe and Chris Matthew shows.
During the last Presidential campaign, he was with Obama every day. That was his assignment. A book has resulted. It is titled Renegade. Renegade is the Secret Service's name for Obama.
The book is presently #4 on the New York Times best seller list.
It is interesting reading. Has many insights into Obama's personal relationship with his wife and associates. Also into Obama's thinking.
I like the book. I am enjoying it. It is helping me to understand Obama a bit also.
I recommend Renegade for reading.
Have a good day! Stay out of the rain!
I love the sound of rain! Always have! Especially along the ocean!
You can see it, feel it and taste it!
Me thinks it is going to rain like this all day. Every now and then it happens, even in Key West!
Golf was wet yesterday. Like the U.S. Open!
We got in 2 holes. Then sat at the Club House for 2 hours waiting for the storm to subside. We finally finished 18, but late in the afternoon.
I played OK. Nothing great. My usual suck game! But I won $3! Don and Larry won big time! Aaron and Randy lost big time! I was happy to have broken even with my $3 in winnings!
Marty met me last night at Aqua to hear Bobby Nesbitt. Great, as usual! I especially enjoy when Bobby and Mark Watson sing a duet together. Terrific!
I was Marty's guest for dinner afterwards at Antonia's. Fettucine a la checa! A wow! Delicious!
Then as usual home to an early bed. I needed my sleep. I was exhausted from the golf! I even over slept this morning.
I wish you were all here to experience the falling rain from my window. It looks good! It tastes good! The slight breeze feels good! All nice!
Glad I was not planning to play golf this morning! No way!
I will never finish the Truman book. Long! I keep interrupting my reading of it by switching to another novel.
Robert Wolfe is a reporter/commentator who appears on MSNBC often. Morning Joe and Chris Matthew shows.
During the last Presidential campaign, he was with Obama every day. That was his assignment. A book has resulted. It is titled Renegade. Renegade is the Secret Service's name for Obama.
The book is presently #4 on the New York Times best seller list.
It is interesting reading. Has many insights into Obama's personal relationship with his wife and associates. Also into Obama's thinking.
I like the book. I am enjoying it. It is helping me to understand Obama a bit also.
I recommend Renegade for reading.
Have a good day! Stay out of the rain!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Golf this morning!
I am anxious to play. I rarely play well. However, I enjoy the experience. It is the guys I play with that make it so exciting. Different personalities. All crazy! An experience!
A fun time last night!
Started at the Chart Room. Where else!
Che, Marty and Sean present. Good people! Good conversation!
Sean is a local news reporter. He was on a radio talk show yesterday when my blog came up. It is amazing the increasing exposure this writing is receiving.
Marty and I opted to go to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. A wise choice, as it turned out! It was Ladies Night! We were the only males in a sea of women!
Good food! Obviously good company! What more can man ask for!
Talked with many old friends. Made some new friends.
Then home to an early bed.
This morning I had an e mail from Bob Marks. My friend of yesterday. I was his best man 30 years ago in Portland, Oregon when he married the lovely Helen.
We have only seen each other once or twice since then. Shame on both of us! Fortunately the blog has brought us back together!
Bob and Helen are retired and live somewhere in the Carolinas. They also have a summer home near our old home in Utica. A camp on a lake in the Adirondacks.
Bob writes this morning that yesterday he drove into Utica for lunch at Joe's restauant. Joe's makes Schooner's Wharf look good! A dump! But great atmosphere. And sort of good food. Actually, tastey would be a better description
Tuesday is pork day. Bob mentioned that he bought 2 orders to take back to the camp. Cost all of $13!
Tuesday's pork is absolutely delicious! 90% fat and 10% meat! Buried in a red sauce!
Good for the taste buds! Great for cholesterol! The arteries jump for joy afterwards!
I hope you ate in good health, Bob and Helen. Good health being the operative words!
Have to run! Time for golf!
Enjoy your day!
I am anxious to play. I rarely play well. However, I enjoy the experience. It is the guys I play with that make it so exciting. Different personalities. All crazy! An experience!
A fun time last night!
Started at the Chart Room. Where else!
Che, Marty and Sean present. Good people! Good conversation!
Sean is a local news reporter. He was on a radio talk show yesterday when my blog came up. It is amazing the increasing exposure this writing is receiving.
Marty and I opted to go to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. A wise choice, as it turned out! It was Ladies Night! We were the only males in a sea of women!
Good food! Obviously good company! What more can man ask for!
Talked with many old friends. Made some new friends.
Then home to an early bed.
This morning I had an e mail from Bob Marks. My friend of yesterday. I was his best man 30 years ago in Portland, Oregon when he married the lovely Helen.
We have only seen each other once or twice since then. Shame on both of us! Fortunately the blog has brought us back together!
Bob and Helen are retired and live somewhere in the Carolinas. They also have a summer home near our old home in Utica. A camp on a lake in the Adirondacks.
Bob writes this morning that yesterday he drove into Utica for lunch at Joe's restauant. Joe's makes Schooner's Wharf look good! A dump! But great atmosphere. And sort of good food. Actually, tastey would be a better description
Tuesday is pork day. Bob mentioned that he bought 2 orders to take back to the camp. Cost all of $13!
Tuesday's pork is absolutely delicious! 90% fat and 10% meat! Buried in a red sauce!
Good for the taste buds! Great for cholesterol! The arteries jump for joy afterwards!
I hope you ate in good health, Bob and Helen. Good health being the operative words!
Have to run! Time for golf!
Enjoy your day!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
It was hot yesterday!
Though the actual temeprature was in the mid 90s, the heat scale reached 112! That is hot!
Lucas Glover wins the U.S. Open! A great result for the 29 year old. His life is changed forever! For the good!
Mickelson and Duval made a run for it! Just not enough at the end!
I was happy to see David Duval back in the mix at the end! A once great golfer who lost it. But he hung in over the years and plodded his way back to the top in this tournament. May he continue the fine play he exhibited in the Open and actually win one soon!
The Chart Room was fun last night! Captain Peter, Shiela and others helped make up the round table.
Marty is back in town. Has been gone 2 weeks. He showed up later.
Marty wanted to eat at La Trattoria. Kathy was working. He needed a Kathy fix!
So we dined at the bar at La Trattoria with Kathy!
Beecha was hosting last night. What a lovely person! Got my hug and kiss. I needed that fix!
Marty made the front page of the Key West Citizen yesterday.
Marty is a court stenographer. Key West has a new courthouse. A huge, proud, beautiful building. Imposing courtrooms. Apparently lousy accoustics!
Marty has been complaining since the building opened that he could not hear. A problem! Stenos must record every word. Attorneys and some judges have also been complaining about an inability to hear. Not good in a place where Justice is being administered!
So Marty's complaints and those of others have been heard. An investigation is being conducted to figure out a way to correct the problem.
The new Justice Center is less than a year old. Someone screwed up in the design of the courtrooms. This acoustical problem, its solution and who is responsible for the srew up will be a new on going Key West saga for a couple of years.
Another hot day in the making! It is 6 am and the air blowing through my window is hot! And the sun is not even up yet!
Be good to someone today!
Though the actual temeprature was in the mid 90s, the heat scale reached 112! That is hot!
Lucas Glover wins the U.S. Open! A great result for the 29 year old. His life is changed forever! For the good!
Mickelson and Duval made a run for it! Just not enough at the end!
I was happy to see David Duval back in the mix at the end! A once great golfer who lost it. But he hung in over the years and plodded his way back to the top in this tournament. May he continue the fine play he exhibited in the Open and actually win one soon!
The Chart Room was fun last night! Captain Peter, Shiela and others helped make up the round table.
Marty is back in town. Has been gone 2 weeks. He showed up later.
Marty wanted to eat at La Trattoria. Kathy was working. He needed a Kathy fix!
So we dined at the bar at La Trattoria with Kathy!
Beecha was hosting last night. What a lovely person! Got my hug and kiss. I needed that fix!
Marty made the front page of the Key West Citizen yesterday.
Marty is a court stenographer. Key West has a new courthouse. A huge, proud, beautiful building. Imposing courtrooms. Apparently lousy accoustics!
Marty has been complaining since the building opened that he could not hear. A problem! Stenos must record every word. Attorneys and some judges have also been complaining about an inability to hear. Not good in a place where Justice is being administered!
So Marty's complaints and those of others have been heard. An investigation is being conducted to figure out a way to correct the problem.
The new Justice Center is less than a year old. Someone screwed up in the design of the courtrooms. This acoustical problem, its solution and who is responsible for the srew up will be a new on going Key West saga for a couple of years.
Another hot day in the making! It is 6 am and the air blowing through my window is hot! And the sun is not even up yet!
Be good to someone today!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Good morning!
I slept a little late. The sun is up. Overcast a bit. Very humid! Normally, early morning is sunny and cool. The humidity starts in late morning. Heavy already! Going to be a hot one!
A great father's day yesterday! Thank you, Lisa!
We ended up celebrating the occasion at Lisa's home. She cooked a super big breakfast.
My father's day gifts were home made by Robert and Ally. They hand painted a plate and coffee mug.
They sell these paint sets for kids. Who then paint ceramic and glass pieces.
Ally did a blaze of colors on a white plate. And then signed her name Ally and 2009! Impressive!
Robert did the same with a coffee mug!
And these things are washable! I am amazed at the toys today! In fact, everything amazes me these days. If you live long enough, that is how it is. I sometimes wonder how things impact on my father who is 21 years older than me!
Then to the Coffee House on Duval to read the Sunday New York Times.
I spent the rest of the day in the cool air conditioned comfort of my home watching the U.S. Open. Who will win? Going to be an interesting day today!
Dinnertime I was out to the Gardens. Friend Skipper was playing the drums and music with his friends. Talked with many people. Had a good time!
I was hungry. So it was off to La Trattoria for dinner.
Kathy bartending. A charming person! Has become a friend.
For some unknown reason, the bar was packed. Unusual for a Sunday evening this time of the year.
I was fortunate to grab an empty seat next to a lovely lady. Lisa was her name. From Nashua, New Hampshire. Her last night in town. First time in Key West.
She loved Key West! Can't wait to return!
She works two jobs. One is restaurant hosting. She liked La Trattoria. Her second time there this week.
I enjoyed dinner with her.
I have to do some house cleaning today. My office is in one of the bedrooms. The computer is on the desk. Papers every where! My filing system is to make piles of papers here and there. The floor, bed and chairs are all buried. Walking is difficult. You have to be carefull to step over at certain places.
Time to correct it! I have reached the point where I cannot stand the mess! And also, I am beginning to not be able to find things!
Talk with you tomorrow!
I slept a little late. The sun is up. Overcast a bit. Very humid! Normally, early morning is sunny and cool. The humidity starts in late morning. Heavy already! Going to be a hot one!
A great father's day yesterday! Thank you, Lisa!
We ended up celebrating the occasion at Lisa's home. She cooked a super big breakfast.
My father's day gifts were home made by Robert and Ally. They hand painted a plate and coffee mug.
They sell these paint sets for kids. Who then paint ceramic and glass pieces.
Ally did a blaze of colors on a white plate. And then signed her name Ally and 2009! Impressive!
Robert did the same with a coffee mug!
And these things are washable! I am amazed at the toys today! In fact, everything amazes me these days. If you live long enough, that is how it is. I sometimes wonder how things impact on my father who is 21 years older than me!
Then to the Coffee House on Duval to read the Sunday New York Times.
I spent the rest of the day in the cool air conditioned comfort of my home watching the U.S. Open. Who will win? Going to be an interesting day today!
Dinnertime I was out to the Gardens. Friend Skipper was playing the drums and music with his friends. Talked with many people. Had a good time!
I was hungry. So it was off to La Trattoria for dinner.
Kathy bartending. A charming person! Has become a friend.
For some unknown reason, the bar was packed. Unusual for a Sunday evening this time of the year.
I was fortunate to grab an empty seat next to a lovely lady. Lisa was her name. From Nashua, New Hampshire. Her last night in town. First time in Key West.
She loved Key West! Can't wait to return!
She works two jobs. One is restaurant hosting. She liked La Trattoria. Her second time there this week.
I enjoyed dinner with her.
I have to do some house cleaning today. My office is in one of the bedrooms. The computer is on the desk. Papers every where! My filing system is to make piles of papers here and there. The floor, bed and chairs are all buried. Walking is difficult. You have to be carefull to step over at certain places.
Time to correct it! I have reached the point where I cannot stand the mess! And also, I am beginning to not be able to find things!
Talk with you tomorrow!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day!
We deserve the Day!
Soon Lisa and the grandkids will be calling to wish me a happy day! And I will soon be calling my father. 95 years old! I hope he is around when he is 100 so I can do the same at that time!
I am a golf freak! Totally hooked on the U.S. Open!
I stayed in all day yesterday watching the tournament. Too bad it is raining so bad. Screws up what otherwise should and would be an extreme game of skill. The weather does not help reveal the better player necessarily. A lot of luck becomes involved. That is not to say, however, that some golfers do not play better in the rain. And that is a skill in itself.
Some horses run better on a wet track. They are mudders. Some golfers seem to excell on a wet course. Don't know what they are called. However, one of them is Mike Wier. And he is near the top of the board!
Tiger played well yesterday. However his putting is not yet what it was. And is probably the difference for him. Also, he was having difficulty yesterday staying in the fairway.
The second cut appears horrendous!
Lisa came over in the afternoon with the grandkids. I reluctantly took time off from the TV to swim with them. Fun!
Between the end of the second round and the start of the third, I got involved in an old movie. Grease. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Made in 1978.
Travolta was thin! Very thin! Newton-John lovely! The music fantastic!
Back in the 1975, some threee years prior to the making of Grease, I had the privilege of meeting Olivia Newton-John.
I had a condo at the Jockey Club in Miami at the time. The bar was a friendly group each night. Every one knew every one!
One evening someone said lets go to the Fontainbleu. Olivia Newton-John is singing there. I knew little about her. Knew she was a new singer. From Australia. Not sure if I had ever heard her sing.
Four of us decided to go and off we went!
Turns out one of the four knew her and apparently knew some one at the Fontainbleu. We walked right into the show room without paying. Were escorted to the best table in the house. And enjoyed a spectacular evening of singing by the lovely Olivia Newton-John!
Afterwards we were escorted back stage to her dressing room. I had the pleasure of meeting her. One of my friends obviously knew her well. She was gracious and charming. A bit reticient. A young lady on her way up!
An enjoyable experience.
And 3 years later she is co-starring with John Travolta in the biggest movie of the year! Grease!
She made it to the top! Good girl!
Lisa, Corey and the grandkids just called to wish me a happy father's day! Love them!
We are doing breakfast together this morning to celebrate the occasion. At Camille's. It will be fun!
Enjoy your Sunday!
We deserve the Day!
Soon Lisa and the grandkids will be calling to wish me a happy day! And I will soon be calling my father. 95 years old! I hope he is around when he is 100 so I can do the same at that time!
I am a golf freak! Totally hooked on the U.S. Open!
I stayed in all day yesterday watching the tournament. Too bad it is raining so bad. Screws up what otherwise should and would be an extreme game of skill. The weather does not help reveal the better player necessarily. A lot of luck becomes involved. That is not to say, however, that some golfers do not play better in the rain. And that is a skill in itself.
Some horses run better on a wet track. They are mudders. Some golfers seem to excell on a wet course. Don't know what they are called. However, one of them is Mike Wier. And he is near the top of the board!
Tiger played well yesterday. However his putting is not yet what it was. And is probably the difference for him. Also, he was having difficulty yesterday staying in the fairway.
The second cut appears horrendous!
Lisa came over in the afternoon with the grandkids. I reluctantly took time off from the TV to swim with them. Fun!
Between the end of the second round and the start of the third, I got involved in an old movie. Grease. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Made in 1978.
Travolta was thin! Very thin! Newton-John lovely! The music fantastic!
Back in the 1975, some threee years prior to the making of Grease, I had the privilege of meeting Olivia Newton-John.
I had a condo at the Jockey Club in Miami at the time. The bar was a friendly group each night. Every one knew every one!
One evening someone said lets go to the Fontainbleu. Olivia Newton-John is singing there. I knew little about her. Knew she was a new singer. From Australia. Not sure if I had ever heard her sing.
Four of us decided to go and off we went!
Turns out one of the four knew her and apparently knew some one at the Fontainbleu. We walked right into the show room without paying. Were escorted to the best table in the house. And enjoyed a spectacular evening of singing by the lovely Olivia Newton-John!
Afterwards we were escorted back stage to her dressing room. I had the pleasure of meeting her. One of my friends obviously knew her well. She was gracious and charming. A bit reticient. A young lady on her way up!
An enjoyable experience.
And 3 years later she is co-starring with John Travolta in the biggest movie of the year! Grease!
She made it to the top! Good girl!
Lisa, Corey and the grandkids just called to wish me a happy father's day! Love them!
We are doing breakfast together this morning to celebrate the occasion. At Camille's. It will be fun!
Enjoy your Sunday!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Yesterday was a pleasant Friday!
Golf dominated! The U.S. Open! All day!
I watched from my bed in the morning. Then continued watching while having lunch at the Yacht Club. Back home for more golf all afternoon.
What could be better!
Last night I stopped for a drink at the Chart Room. It was quiet compared to the raucus party the night before. Captain Peter was there.
The Captain just returned from Mexico. Visited with his former wife for a few days. Some small town near Cancun. He took a plane, bus and cab to get there.
A lovely place, he says! Right on the ocean. Rents cheap. Like a $100 a month! Dinner for 2 at the best restaurant $15.
Time to move there!
Afterwards, I walked over to Hot Tin Roof for dinner at the bar. Met more friends. Had pleasant conversation, good food and a couple of drinks. And watched more U.S. Open golf on the bar TV.
And then home to bed early!
The weather is fantastic here in Key West! It rains a bit every day. A real down pour. Stops as suddenly as it begins. Lasts all of 10 minutes. That's it!
I am looking out the window as I write. The water is still. Like a mirror. The palm tree moves not. It is a bit cloudy so everything is colored gray. Neither heat nor humidity yet. Perfect weather!
Maybe I will do the beach today with Lisa and the grandkids. It is either that or be glued to the TV set all day!
Enjoy!
Golf dominated! The U.S. Open! All day!
I watched from my bed in the morning. Then continued watching while having lunch at the Yacht Club. Back home for more golf all afternoon.
What could be better!
Last night I stopped for a drink at the Chart Room. It was quiet compared to the raucus party the night before. Captain Peter was there.
The Captain just returned from Mexico. Visited with his former wife for a few days. Some small town near Cancun. He took a plane, bus and cab to get there.
A lovely place, he says! Right on the ocean. Rents cheap. Like a $100 a month! Dinner for 2 at the best restaurant $15.
Time to move there!
Afterwards, I walked over to Hot Tin Roof for dinner at the bar. Met more friends. Had pleasant conversation, good food and a couple of drinks. And watched more U.S. Open golf on the bar TV.
And then home to bed early!
The weather is fantastic here in Key West! It rains a bit every day. A real down pour. Stops as suddenly as it begins. Lasts all of 10 minutes. That's it!
I am looking out the window as I write. The water is still. Like a mirror. The palm tree moves not. It is a bit cloudy so everything is colored gray. Neither heat nor humidity yet. Perfect weather!
Maybe I will do the beach today with Lisa and the grandkids. It is either that or be glued to the TV set all day!
Enjoy!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Interesting day yesterday!
I was sitting out on the deck with everything running through my mind. Kind of contemplating my navel mood!
All of a sudden I saw a shark swim by! Not the same one. Smaller. About 4 feet long.
This is the second time in less than a week that I have seen a shark off my dock. Never before in 10 years! Scarry! I'm never going in that water again!
Corey, Lisa and the grandkids came by later on. Of course, I am all excited about the shark. Again, Corey said worry not! They are more afraid of you than you are of them! A philosophy I cannot buy!
Then Corey shared with me a most interesting experience.
Understand that my son in law is absolute modesty. Humble and not assuming might be a more pecise description.
He is the salt of the earth. Typical of the the mid west where he was born and raised. Corey reminds me of Jimmy Stewart. Tall and lanky. Kind and gentle. Rarely excited.
He told me of an experience he had had 2 days earlier.
Corey was at the Winn Dixie Shopping area. He had been to CVS. He saw a girl on a moped go down. He immediately went over to help. She was lying face down. She was groaning. He tried to calm her and told her that 911 had been called.
All of a sudden her body had tremors and went still.
He turned her over. Her eyes were wide open and staring straight ahead. Her face was an odd gray color.
He thought she was dying or had died. He immediately started CPR. Mouth to mouth recusitation. He had learned CPR when he was 16 and a life guard in Indiana. He is now 46. He has never tried CPR in the 30 years since learning it.
As Corey was doing the mouth to mouth, another man came over and did the chest pressing. Corey says they did 8-10 rounds of the procedure.
All of a sudden, the young lady jerked and started breathing. The police arrived with the EMT people and took her away.
Corey says it was an indescribable experience to have helped in bringing the girl back. He was in awe of the whole thing.
A lesson to all of us. We should be knowledgable in CPR.
I rarely do the tourist end of town. However, last night I decided it would be a good change of pace. I figured I would start with the Chart Room and then hit Sloppy Joe's and Rick's. My game plan was to eat at Sloppy Joe's. What else? A sloppy joe! However, I never made it past the Chart Room.
The Chart Room was packed! It was a no room at the inn situation! People were standing outside either drinking or trying to get in.
I squeezed inside and found my round table friends. What's up, I inquired. Turned out it was a fundraiser for Hospice. The group was honoring the birthday of General Geoff Chapman.
General Chapman? I had never heard of him.
Turns out he was a general with the Conch Republic. General of the Conch Republic Army to be precise!
Back in the early 1980s, drugs were a problem in the keys. They are no more. Anyhow, the U.S. Government, in its divine wisdom, decided to set up a road block somewhere north around Homestead/Key Largo. The purpose of the road block was to check out vehicles for drugs.
Nowhere else in the United States was such a road block being utilized in the war on drugs.
The people of Key West took the road block as an insult. Understandably so. Who wants their car stopped and searched. So a group of Key Westers banded together to protest the blockade and its attendant insult.
They called themselves the Conch Republic. They actually formed a nation. They even had an army. The General of the Army was Geoff Chapman, in whose name the party was being held last night.
The Conch Republic formally protested to the U.S. Government and requested the removal of the barricade. They also formally seceded from the Union.
All this occured in a 24 hour period.
The U.S. Government heard them. The barricade came down. The Conch Republic surrendered. And demanded reparations! Why not!
That was a long time ago. However, the Conch Republic has continued. It is an active organization. In fact, each year a water battle is reenacted in the Key West harbor involving the U.S.Coast Guard and boats from the Conch Republic. Shots in the form of water hoses from the Coast Guard boats and tomatos and eggs from the Conch boats are exchanged. Jets and helicopters from Boca Chica fly over. Old double winged bi planes of the Conch Republic fly over also, dropping bombs of unraveling rolls of toilet paper on the Coast Guard ships below.
A big time! A good time! A Key West time!
And last night I ate and drank in honor of General Geoff Chapman of the Conch Republic Army!
The General was not with us. Unforunately he succumbed to cancer several years ago. But his spirit lives on, as evidenced by the fun every one was having last night!
Thank God for the Genral! Thank God for the Conch Republic revolution! Thank God for the people of Key West! I sometime think the only sanity left in this world is here in Key West!
I was sitting out on the deck with everything running through my mind. Kind of contemplating my navel mood!
All of a sudden I saw a shark swim by! Not the same one. Smaller. About 4 feet long.
This is the second time in less than a week that I have seen a shark off my dock. Never before in 10 years! Scarry! I'm never going in that water again!
Corey, Lisa and the grandkids came by later on. Of course, I am all excited about the shark. Again, Corey said worry not! They are more afraid of you than you are of them! A philosophy I cannot buy!
Then Corey shared with me a most interesting experience.
Understand that my son in law is absolute modesty. Humble and not assuming might be a more pecise description.
He is the salt of the earth. Typical of the the mid west where he was born and raised. Corey reminds me of Jimmy Stewart. Tall and lanky. Kind and gentle. Rarely excited.
He told me of an experience he had had 2 days earlier.
Corey was at the Winn Dixie Shopping area. He had been to CVS. He saw a girl on a moped go down. He immediately went over to help. She was lying face down. She was groaning. He tried to calm her and told her that 911 had been called.
All of a sudden her body had tremors and went still.
He turned her over. Her eyes were wide open and staring straight ahead. Her face was an odd gray color.
He thought she was dying or had died. He immediately started CPR. Mouth to mouth recusitation. He had learned CPR when he was 16 and a life guard in Indiana. He is now 46. He has never tried CPR in the 30 years since learning it.
As Corey was doing the mouth to mouth, another man came over and did the chest pressing. Corey says they did 8-10 rounds of the procedure.
All of a sudden, the young lady jerked and started breathing. The police arrived with the EMT people and took her away.
Corey says it was an indescribable experience to have helped in bringing the girl back. He was in awe of the whole thing.
A lesson to all of us. We should be knowledgable in CPR.
I rarely do the tourist end of town. However, last night I decided it would be a good change of pace. I figured I would start with the Chart Room and then hit Sloppy Joe's and Rick's. My game plan was to eat at Sloppy Joe's. What else? A sloppy joe! However, I never made it past the Chart Room.
The Chart Room was packed! It was a no room at the inn situation! People were standing outside either drinking or trying to get in.
I squeezed inside and found my round table friends. What's up, I inquired. Turned out it was a fundraiser for Hospice. The group was honoring the birthday of General Geoff Chapman.
General Chapman? I had never heard of him.
Turns out he was a general with the Conch Republic. General of the Conch Republic Army to be precise!
Back in the early 1980s, drugs were a problem in the keys. They are no more. Anyhow, the U.S. Government, in its divine wisdom, decided to set up a road block somewhere north around Homestead/Key Largo. The purpose of the road block was to check out vehicles for drugs.
Nowhere else in the United States was such a road block being utilized in the war on drugs.
The people of Key West took the road block as an insult. Understandably so. Who wants their car stopped and searched. So a group of Key Westers banded together to protest the blockade and its attendant insult.
They called themselves the Conch Republic. They actually formed a nation. They even had an army. The General of the Army was Geoff Chapman, in whose name the party was being held last night.
The Conch Republic formally protested to the U.S. Government and requested the removal of the barricade. They also formally seceded from the Union.
All this occured in a 24 hour period.
The U.S. Government heard them. The barricade came down. The Conch Republic surrendered. And demanded reparations! Why not!
That was a long time ago. However, the Conch Republic has continued. It is an active organization. In fact, each year a water battle is reenacted in the Key West harbor involving the U.S.Coast Guard and boats from the Conch Republic. Shots in the form of water hoses from the Coast Guard boats and tomatos and eggs from the Conch boats are exchanged. Jets and helicopters from Boca Chica fly over. Old double winged bi planes of the Conch Republic fly over also, dropping bombs of unraveling rolls of toilet paper on the Coast Guard ships below.
A big time! A good time! A Key West time!
And last night I ate and drank in honor of General Geoff Chapman of the Conch Republic Army!
The General was not with us. Unforunately he succumbed to cancer several years ago. But his spirit lives on, as evidenced by the fun every one was having last night!
Thank God for the Genral! Thank God for the Conch Republic revolution! Thank God for the people of Key West! I sometime think the only sanity left in this world is here in Key West!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
What a difference a day makes!
My diverticulitis problem appears behind me. However, the doctor had me on two heavy antibiotics for 10 days. Yesterday was day 8.
The antibiotics were beginning to take their toll. Seemed to be screwing up my life in every which way.
Yesterday I thought I was going to collapse on the golf course! So tired! So beat up!
I literally crawled to my car after finishing and hurried home to bed. No lunch. Just sleep.
When I awoke I telephoned my doctor. She said OK to stop the pills. It appeared they had done their job and were now adversely affecting me.
I stopped! Needed no encouragement!
Slept like a baby last night! First time in over a week! And feel great this morning! Like a new man!
Golf was obviously lousy. I could hardly swing the club on the back 9. It was stupid of me to continue playing, but I can be hard headed. I bulled my way through the round.
I felt better by dinner time. I stopped at Aqua to hear Bobby Nesbitt. Then to La Trattoria for a light dinner and some great conversation with friend Robert Spottswood.
The Iranian protests are dominating the news. Interesting! Who knows what will develop from the unrest.
It brings back to mind the Hungarian Revolution.
It was October 1956. Russia had occupied and dominated Hungary after World War II. One day a delegation of students went to a government building to protest something. They were shot upon by the Russian soldiers.
In short time, there was fighting on the streets. Guns, tanks, molotov cocktails and the like. The revolution lasted all of 2 1/2 weeks. Then the Russian Army crushed it! Might over right!
Many were killed. Two hundred thousand had to flee the country. Feared for their lives!
One of those who fled was Kolos.
Kolos was a native born Hungarian. A student at the time of the revolution.
He had become a student at Manhattan College when I met him. It was 1957 and January of my senior year at Manhattan.
Many of the students who fled were immedialy accepted into the United States as refugees. And sent off to college right away, to boot!
Kolos and about 15 of his friends were sent to Manhattan College.Three months after their revolution, they were students here in the United States.
They all spoke perfect English. We should be ashamed! How many of us speak Hungarian or any foreign language. The language factor made it easy for them to be absorbed into our college life.
Kolos and I became friends and talked frequently. I was curious how the revolution came to be, his part in it, etc.
Kolos said his people were always unhappy about foreign domination of his country. First, Hitler. Then, Stalin. But they quietly accepted it as a people.
His primary interests just before the revolution were girls, drinking and school in that order. Normal!
Then the student delegation got shot on. He and a bunch of friends left the bar they drinking in and drove to the scene. A bit of chaos was beginning. People were throwing things.
He and his buddies went and got tomatos and eggs. They returned to the scene and threw them at the soldiers. The soldiers shot back. Kolos and his friends took off!
However over the next few days, the tomatos and eggs were replaced by guns. Koslo and his friends were actively engaging the Russian Army. Things were OK till the Russians brought in the tanks. Then the insurgents were lost! Kolos and his friends were no match for the tanks.
What had started out as a lark, with no intent to cause a shooting revolution, turned into an all out war!
Kolos and his friends had to get out of Hungary. College students were being shot on sight.
He fled. So did 200,000 others.
And 3 months later we were sitting together in New York City having a beer and talking about his experiences!
Kolos' Hungarian Revolution failed. Years later another quieter one succeeeded.
May the present Iranian foment bring a quicker result.
Enjoy your day!
My diverticulitis problem appears behind me. However, the doctor had me on two heavy antibiotics for 10 days. Yesterday was day 8.
The antibiotics were beginning to take their toll. Seemed to be screwing up my life in every which way.
Yesterday I thought I was going to collapse on the golf course! So tired! So beat up!
I literally crawled to my car after finishing and hurried home to bed. No lunch. Just sleep.
When I awoke I telephoned my doctor. She said OK to stop the pills. It appeared they had done their job and were now adversely affecting me.
I stopped! Needed no encouragement!
Slept like a baby last night! First time in over a week! And feel great this morning! Like a new man!
Golf was obviously lousy. I could hardly swing the club on the back 9. It was stupid of me to continue playing, but I can be hard headed. I bulled my way through the round.
I felt better by dinner time. I stopped at Aqua to hear Bobby Nesbitt. Then to La Trattoria for a light dinner and some great conversation with friend Robert Spottswood.
The Iranian protests are dominating the news. Interesting! Who knows what will develop from the unrest.
It brings back to mind the Hungarian Revolution.
It was October 1956. Russia had occupied and dominated Hungary after World War II. One day a delegation of students went to a government building to protest something. They were shot upon by the Russian soldiers.
In short time, there was fighting on the streets. Guns, tanks, molotov cocktails and the like. The revolution lasted all of 2 1/2 weeks. Then the Russian Army crushed it! Might over right!
Many were killed. Two hundred thousand had to flee the country. Feared for their lives!
One of those who fled was Kolos.
Kolos was a native born Hungarian. A student at the time of the revolution.
He had become a student at Manhattan College when I met him. It was 1957 and January of my senior year at Manhattan.
Many of the students who fled were immedialy accepted into the United States as refugees. And sent off to college right away, to boot!
Kolos and about 15 of his friends were sent to Manhattan College.Three months after their revolution, they were students here in the United States.
They all spoke perfect English. We should be ashamed! How many of us speak Hungarian or any foreign language. The language factor made it easy for them to be absorbed into our college life.
Kolos and I became friends and talked frequently. I was curious how the revolution came to be, his part in it, etc.
Kolos said his people were always unhappy about foreign domination of his country. First, Hitler. Then, Stalin. But they quietly accepted it as a people.
His primary interests just before the revolution were girls, drinking and school in that order. Normal!
Then the student delegation got shot on. He and a bunch of friends left the bar they drinking in and drove to the scene. A bit of chaos was beginning. People were throwing things.
He and his buddies went and got tomatos and eggs. They returned to the scene and threw them at the soldiers. The soldiers shot back. Kolos and his friends took off!
However over the next few days, the tomatos and eggs were replaced by guns. Koslo and his friends were actively engaging the Russian Army. Things were OK till the Russians brought in the tanks. Then the insurgents were lost! Kolos and his friends were no match for the tanks.
What had started out as a lark, with no intent to cause a shooting revolution, turned into an all out war!
Kolos and his friends had to get out of Hungary. College students were being shot on sight.
He fled. So did 200,000 others.
And 3 months later we were sitting together in New York City having a beer and talking about his experiences!
Kolos' Hungarian Revolution failed. Years later another quieter one succeeeded.
May the present Iranian foment bring a quicker result.
Enjoy your day!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
I started the day yesterday with a bicycle ride. First time in a long time.
I rode around my island. Key Haven.
We are into summer time here. Have been for a long time. It has impacted the foliage. Every thing is massively overgrown. Everything needs not just a hair cut, but a crew cut!
Lunch at the Yacht Club. Read for a while afterwards at Borders. Then home to do some paper work.
I stayed in last night. Unusual. I was in the mood to do nothing.
This morning golf! I am anxious! May I play well! Hope springs eternal!
I rode around my island. Key Haven.
We are into summer time here. Have been for a long time. It has impacted the foliage. Every thing is massively overgrown. Everything needs not just a hair cut, but a crew cut!
Lunch at the Yacht Club. Read for a while afterwards at Borders. Then home to do some paper work.
I stayed in last night. Unusual. I was in the mood to do nothing.
This morning golf! I am anxious! May I play well! Hope springs eternal!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Matteo Petrera died.
I have not seen nor heard from Matteo in over 50 years.
We were in college together. Manhattan College. I was a resident student and Matteo a day hop.That means I had the money to live on campus. Only because of a scholarship. Matteo lived in New york City proper and took the subway or bus, or both, to school each day from his home.
We went through 4 years together. He was my partner in biology lab.
We were not close. I never recall our going out together on the weekend. But we talked every day.
He perceived me as a farm kid from somewhere in upstateNew York. I saw him as this street smart kid from New York City.
Matteo was physically large. Not fat. Tight. Like a full back.
He knew about everything. He was the expert. Girls, studies, the world. Nothing was beyond his knowledge and comprehension.
He taught me much. I used to hang on his every word. He was sort of a hero to me.
I have not seen Matteo since our college graduation in 1957.
Yesterday, I received the Manhattan College Alumni News. It noted the death of Matteo Petrera.
I felt sad. I went to the computer and googled Matteo. His obituary came up. Turns out Matteo touched many in his lifetime.
He became a high school teacher for 30 years on Long Island where he eventually lived. Taught history and was a guidance counselor. Was married for 46 years. Had several children who gave him several grandchildren.
He apparently was well liked by his students, who affectionately referred to him as Mr. P.
I love his Italian background!
His family came from Bari in Italy. They settled in Harlem, where he was raised. Harlem is where he got the street smarts of which I was so much in awe.
Matteo, God bless you! Keep an eye out for me when I arrive where you are! Perhaps you can give me the lay of the land, oops Heaven, so I can better find my way around!
Michael Eptien is back in town! Ran into him at La Trattoria last night.
Michael has been gone for 8 months. In South Carolina with family. He has decided Key West is home and where he belongs. And so, he has returned!
I first met Mike when he was a waiter at Square One. A nice guy! The best!
Mike had a good life here in Key West. He was a leader in the gay community, active in his church and was even elected Queen once.
He became a good friend of Lisa's. Attended her wedding and knew the grandkids. He asked about them at length last night.
I am glad he has returned and wish him well.
Have a good day!
I have not seen nor heard from Matteo in over 50 years.
We were in college together. Manhattan College. I was a resident student and Matteo a day hop.That means I had the money to live on campus. Only because of a scholarship. Matteo lived in New york City proper and took the subway or bus, or both, to school each day from his home.
We went through 4 years together. He was my partner in biology lab.
We were not close. I never recall our going out together on the weekend. But we talked every day.
He perceived me as a farm kid from somewhere in upstateNew York. I saw him as this street smart kid from New York City.
Matteo was physically large. Not fat. Tight. Like a full back.
He knew about everything. He was the expert. Girls, studies, the world. Nothing was beyond his knowledge and comprehension.
He taught me much. I used to hang on his every word. He was sort of a hero to me.
I have not seen Matteo since our college graduation in 1957.
Yesterday, I received the Manhattan College Alumni News. It noted the death of Matteo Petrera.
I felt sad. I went to the computer and googled Matteo. His obituary came up. Turns out Matteo touched many in his lifetime.
He became a high school teacher for 30 years on Long Island where he eventually lived. Taught history and was a guidance counselor. Was married for 46 years. Had several children who gave him several grandchildren.
He apparently was well liked by his students, who affectionately referred to him as Mr. P.
I love his Italian background!
His family came from Bari in Italy. They settled in Harlem, where he was raised. Harlem is where he got the street smarts of which I was so much in awe.
Matteo, God bless you! Keep an eye out for me when I arrive where you are! Perhaps you can give me the lay of the land, oops Heaven, so I can better find my way around!
Michael Eptien is back in town! Ran into him at La Trattoria last night.
Michael has been gone for 8 months. In South Carolina with family. He has decided Key West is home and where he belongs. And so, he has returned!
I first met Mike when he was a waiter at Square One. A nice guy! The best!
Mike had a good life here in Key West. He was a leader in the gay community, active in his church and was even elected Queen once.
He became a good friend of Lisa's. Attended her wedding and knew the grandkids. He asked about them at length last night.
I am glad he has returned and wish him well.
Have a good day!
Monday, June 15, 2009
A quiet Sunday! A good Sunday!
Lisa and family came over in late morning to swim. My grandlids are fish. Why not! Their father Corey dives for a living! They will dive at some point, also!
Later, I did my usual thing at the Pier House. Brunch and read the papers.
Then home to watch golf. Brian Gay played well for 4 days!
Lisa's for dinner! Big last night! She baked a key lime pie! Terrific!
Home again for the basketball game. Congrats to LA. Well deserved.
Orlando will be back again. It seems to take time in professional sports to win the big one! You have to be there and get beaten. Then return and win. A team has to learn how to win!
Big day today. My plate is full!
Have fun!
Lisa and family came over in late morning to swim. My grandlids are fish. Why not! Their father Corey dives for a living! They will dive at some point, also!
Later, I did my usual thing at the Pier House. Brunch and read the papers.
Then home to watch golf. Brian Gay played well for 4 days!
Lisa's for dinner! Big last night! She baked a key lime pie! Terrific!
Home again for the basketball game. Congrats to LA. Well deserved.
Orlando will be back again. It seems to take time in professional sports to win the big one! You have to be there and get beaten. Then return and win. A team has to learn how to win!
Big day today. My plate is full!
Have fun!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
I feel better. I think!
I ate yesterday. Poached eggs. No problem.
Last night I decided to get out. Opted for the movies. Have not been in a long time.
Decided on Tom Hanks' new film Angels and Demons. Good! Action packed! Fast moving!
A bit insulting to the Catholic Church. But then, what isn't these days! I thought it brought forth the human nature of the Church. The Church seeks to do God's will, God's way. However, it is humans who seek to carry out God's perceived directions. Men are fallible, not infallible as God might be. So they err. And as a result the Catholic Church has occasionally screwed up big time over the years!
I know and understand that of which I speak. I am a product of a Catholic education. Grammar school, high school and college. I also had the unpleasant responsibility of counseling someone who claimed to have been improperly approached by a priest.
Putting all that aside, again I recommend the movie! Good viewing! Exciting!
Angels and Demons has already had its run at the local big multi theater. Key West has a second movie house. The Tropic Cinema.
The Tropic is a relatively small facility. Has 3 tiny movie rooms. It is located on the side of the La Concha Hotel. Steps off Duval in the heart of the party area.
The Tropic Cinmea was conceived by several local Key Westers. They wanted a small theater that would show the better movies. Not always necessarily the popular ones. There are many films that are not big money makers, but classics nevertheless.
A fund drive of major proportions ensued. It was successful!! Considerable money was raised!
One of the major contributors, if not the major one, was Jean Carper. She donated $200,000 in her mother Nancy's name. The largest of the 3 movie rooms is named after Nancy Carper.
Jean and I are friends. I have known her since buying my home in Key West.
Jean makes a living by writing books. Books having to do with foods and which ones to eat for better health. She has had several best sellers and made a fortune! She also writes a weekly column which is in the Parade insert of many newspapers.
She has a brother who lives in Saquoit, NY, a suburb of Utica. A small world!
I bought one of Nancy's books once. It was a home remedy thing. Certain foods to cure certain illnesses, aches and pains.
One day I had a hell of a head cold. Nose running all the time. Could not stop sneezing. So I looked up head cold in Jean's book. It said eat a clove of garlic every 2 hours.
My wife kept garlic bulbs in the house for cooking. I took one, seperated a clove from it and placed the clove in my mouth. Ughhh!
Try chewing a large chunk of garlic!
Chew I did however and got the garlic clove down. Within minutes, my nose was dry and I stopped sneezing! For real!
I kept eating a clove of garlic every 2 hours through out the day and into the evening. When my wife returned, she immediately told me the place stunk of garlic! Yes, I admitted. It was me. I chopped down the cherry tree! I explained the Jean inspired remedy, how it had worked, etc. She was not impressed. The odor/smell was apparently overwhelming.
We slept in separate bedrooms that night!
After the movie finished, I had to relieve myself. So I sought out the men's room of the Tropic Cinema.
As I was standing over the urinal doing my thing, I noticed a small plaque on the wall at eye level before me. It read: This station for your relief provided by Roger Westerlund.
There was another urinal next to me. It had a similar plaque. I was curious whose donation paid for that one. So my head and eyes turned right. There was a guy using the urinal. Our eyes met. He was not taking nicely to my looking over as he was pissing. I could see pervert in his eyes! My head snapped back immediately!
Roger is a transplanted doctor from I don't know where living in Key West. He is married to the lovely and charming Mary Ann. They have lived here for years. Were already here when I bought my home in Key West some 10 years ago. They are very generous and giving to the community. As evidenced by Roger's contribution paid for plaque over the urinal!
I have been having a problem with my printer for several months. Could not figure it out. Son in law Corey was over during the day and I mentioned it to him. He took a look at it.
The printer was not hooked into the computer! What an idiot I am!
The days here in Key West have been magnificent! Sun all day! Increasing humidity each day! We are into the hurricane season as of June 1. Hope the year is an easy one hurricane wise! We have through November 30 to worry. And worry we do!
Today is Sunday! Enjoy your Sunday! Lay back! Read the Sunday papers! Whatever! As long as you do what you want and it makes you feel good!
I ate yesterday. Poached eggs. No problem.
Last night I decided to get out. Opted for the movies. Have not been in a long time.
Decided on Tom Hanks' new film Angels and Demons. Good! Action packed! Fast moving!
A bit insulting to the Catholic Church. But then, what isn't these days! I thought it brought forth the human nature of the Church. The Church seeks to do God's will, God's way. However, it is humans who seek to carry out God's perceived directions. Men are fallible, not infallible as God might be. So they err. And as a result the Catholic Church has occasionally screwed up big time over the years!
I know and understand that of which I speak. I am a product of a Catholic education. Grammar school, high school and college. I also had the unpleasant responsibility of counseling someone who claimed to have been improperly approached by a priest.
Putting all that aside, again I recommend the movie! Good viewing! Exciting!
Angels and Demons has already had its run at the local big multi theater. Key West has a second movie house. The Tropic Cinema.
The Tropic is a relatively small facility. Has 3 tiny movie rooms. It is located on the side of the La Concha Hotel. Steps off Duval in the heart of the party area.
The Tropic Cinmea was conceived by several local Key Westers. They wanted a small theater that would show the better movies. Not always necessarily the popular ones. There are many films that are not big money makers, but classics nevertheless.
A fund drive of major proportions ensued. It was successful!! Considerable money was raised!
One of the major contributors, if not the major one, was Jean Carper. She donated $200,000 in her mother Nancy's name. The largest of the 3 movie rooms is named after Nancy Carper.
Jean and I are friends. I have known her since buying my home in Key West.
Jean makes a living by writing books. Books having to do with foods and which ones to eat for better health. She has had several best sellers and made a fortune! She also writes a weekly column which is in the Parade insert of many newspapers.
She has a brother who lives in Saquoit, NY, a suburb of Utica. A small world!
I bought one of Nancy's books once. It was a home remedy thing. Certain foods to cure certain illnesses, aches and pains.
One day I had a hell of a head cold. Nose running all the time. Could not stop sneezing. So I looked up head cold in Jean's book. It said eat a clove of garlic every 2 hours.
My wife kept garlic bulbs in the house for cooking. I took one, seperated a clove from it and placed the clove in my mouth. Ughhh!
Try chewing a large chunk of garlic!
Chew I did however and got the garlic clove down. Within minutes, my nose was dry and I stopped sneezing! For real!
I kept eating a clove of garlic every 2 hours through out the day and into the evening. When my wife returned, she immediately told me the place stunk of garlic! Yes, I admitted. It was me. I chopped down the cherry tree! I explained the Jean inspired remedy, how it had worked, etc. She was not impressed. The odor/smell was apparently overwhelming.
We slept in separate bedrooms that night!
After the movie finished, I had to relieve myself. So I sought out the men's room of the Tropic Cinema.
As I was standing over the urinal doing my thing, I noticed a small plaque on the wall at eye level before me. It read: This station for your relief provided by Roger Westerlund.
There was another urinal next to me. It had a similar plaque. I was curious whose donation paid for that one. So my head and eyes turned right. There was a guy using the urinal. Our eyes met. He was not taking nicely to my looking over as he was pissing. I could see pervert in his eyes! My head snapped back immediately!
Roger is a transplanted doctor from I don't know where living in Key West. He is married to the lovely and charming Mary Ann. They have lived here for years. Were already here when I bought my home in Key West some 10 years ago. They are very generous and giving to the community. As evidenced by Roger's contribution paid for plaque over the urinal!
I have been having a problem with my printer for several months. Could not figure it out. Son in law Corey was over during the day and I mentioned it to him. He took a look at it.
The printer was not hooked into the computer! What an idiot I am!
The days here in Key West have been magnificent! Sun all day! Increasing humidity each day! We are into the hurricane season as of June 1. Hope the year is an easy one hurricane wise! We have through November 30 to worry. And worry we do!
Today is Sunday! Enjoy your Sunday! Lay back! Read the Sunday papers! Whatever! As long as you do what you want and it makes you feel good!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
I was siting on the dock having a cup of coffee yesterday morning. All of a sudden, a shark slid by. About 7-8 feet long.
I appreciate that water magnifies things. However, this denzien of the deep in reality would have had to be at least 5 feet long.
I rarely swim in the ocean off my home. Have always had an uncomfortable feeling. There are those who do not, however. Like son in law Corey and my grandkids.
Corey is an archeologist. He dives for a living. All over the world!
He is always jumping off the dock and having 5 year old Robert and 4 year old Ally follow him. He loves the ocean! And because of him, my grandchildren do also!
Corey visited with me in the afternoon. I told him about the shark. He was very noncholant. His comment was to the effect that fish live in the ocean. Made me feel like an asshole!
We talked about sharks and his experiences. He says sharks are as much afraid of humans as humans are of them. He has been in their company many times. They went about their business as he went about his. His only concern would be something like a tiger shark.
I know Corey. He and the grandkids will continue going in the ocean off my dock!
Ally's birthday was a couple of weeks ago. Ally has some unusual interests for a 4 year old.
She is big into bugs. Picks up ants and spiders. Then runs into the house to show them to you!
She is also into things that grow naturally. Gardens and the like. She recently took a field trip with Montessori class mates to some botanical gardens. Thought it was terrific!
So one of the gifts I got her for her birthday was a pot and some tomato seeds. With her father's assistance, she put dirt in the pot and seeds in the dirt. She diligently waters the pot every day.
Yesterday morning she was all excited when I visited. She took me by the hand and hurried me outside. Tomato leaves were breaking through the dirt! A wow! Even I was impressed!
She explained how she waters it every day. But she said, not if it rains. She told me too much water was not good. Smart!
I am feeling lousy again! Stomach! The diverticulitis problem. I got that bloated feeling yesterday afternoon with probably a low grade temperature. I was sweating a bit and had chills.
So off to bed! With me, any excuse to go to bed is a good one!
I stayed in bed the rest of the day and evening. Feel better this morning. Wish this problem would go away! I continue to take antibiotics which is supposed to kill it! Before it kills me!
My one happy moment last night was a telephone call from my court reporter friend Marty.
Marty is visiting in upstate New York. Someplace outside of Auburn. About 60 miles from Utica, my original home town.
He and his wife are on an errand of love. His wife's 85 year old aunt needs some care and attention. So they are up there getting her and her belongings to return to live with them here in Florida.
Last night was Marty's last night in the area. They return to Florida today.
He was having dinner in a General something hotel on Owasco Lake.
He wanted to know if I ever heard of Owasco Lake. Of course! I did my 8th grade class trip there! That blew Marty back a bit. He thought he had me!
Then he went on to rant how he now knew why I always wanted to eat in good reataurants in Key West. He apparently was not happy with the General something hotel. He thought he was back in Revolutionary days somehow.
I told Marty that is the way it is in upstate New York. And yes, you are in an area that looks and feels like 1776 times. The American Revolution was fought there!
Lets hope that today is a better one for me than yesterday! I am getting sick of being sick!
I appreciate that water magnifies things. However, this denzien of the deep in reality would have had to be at least 5 feet long.
I rarely swim in the ocean off my home. Have always had an uncomfortable feeling. There are those who do not, however. Like son in law Corey and my grandkids.
Corey is an archeologist. He dives for a living. All over the world!
He is always jumping off the dock and having 5 year old Robert and 4 year old Ally follow him. He loves the ocean! And because of him, my grandchildren do also!
Corey visited with me in the afternoon. I told him about the shark. He was very noncholant. His comment was to the effect that fish live in the ocean. Made me feel like an asshole!
We talked about sharks and his experiences. He says sharks are as much afraid of humans as humans are of them. He has been in their company many times. They went about their business as he went about his. His only concern would be something like a tiger shark.
I know Corey. He and the grandkids will continue going in the ocean off my dock!
Ally's birthday was a couple of weeks ago. Ally has some unusual interests for a 4 year old.
She is big into bugs. Picks up ants and spiders. Then runs into the house to show them to you!
She is also into things that grow naturally. Gardens and the like. She recently took a field trip with Montessori class mates to some botanical gardens. Thought it was terrific!
So one of the gifts I got her for her birthday was a pot and some tomato seeds. With her father's assistance, she put dirt in the pot and seeds in the dirt. She diligently waters the pot every day.
Yesterday morning she was all excited when I visited. She took me by the hand and hurried me outside. Tomato leaves were breaking through the dirt! A wow! Even I was impressed!
She explained how she waters it every day. But she said, not if it rains. She told me too much water was not good. Smart!
I am feeling lousy again! Stomach! The diverticulitis problem. I got that bloated feeling yesterday afternoon with probably a low grade temperature. I was sweating a bit and had chills.
So off to bed! With me, any excuse to go to bed is a good one!
I stayed in bed the rest of the day and evening. Feel better this morning. Wish this problem would go away! I continue to take antibiotics which is supposed to kill it! Before it kills me!
My one happy moment last night was a telephone call from my court reporter friend Marty.
Marty is visiting in upstate New York. Someplace outside of Auburn. About 60 miles from Utica, my original home town.
He and his wife are on an errand of love. His wife's 85 year old aunt needs some care and attention. So they are up there getting her and her belongings to return to live with them here in Florida.
Last night was Marty's last night in the area. They return to Florida today.
He was having dinner in a General something hotel on Owasco Lake.
He wanted to know if I ever heard of Owasco Lake. Of course! I did my 8th grade class trip there! That blew Marty back a bit. He thought he had me!
Then he went on to rant how he now knew why I always wanted to eat in good reataurants in Key West. He apparently was not happy with the General something hotel. He thought he was back in Revolutionary days somehow.
I told Marty that is the way it is in upstate New York. And yes, you are in an area that looks and feels like 1776 times. The American Revolution was fought there!
Lets hope that today is a better one for me than yesterday! I am getting sick of being sick!
Friday, June 12, 2009
My day to watch the grandkids yesterday! A good day!
I drove Robert and Ally up to Boondock's for miniature golf and lunch.
I have not played miniature golf in over 50 years. It probably cost $.25 a round back then. Yesterday, it was $8 a head! Wow!
Well worth it, however! The course is beautiful. And Robert and Ally had a good time!
Robert and Ally had never played before. Robert at 5 was better coordinated. Ally at 4 had a bit of difficulty.
I would like to say I beat them at the game. However, after the first hole I realized I could not play, watch them, coordinate them, guide them and teach them at the same time! So my ball went in my pocket.
A good idea, any how! That way I would not have to come up with an excuse for losing to them!
Boondock's even has water holes! On one of them, Ally's ball went in the water. Or, so we thought! There was a way the ball could escape the water. The ball found that path. And Ally's ball ended up near the hole rather than in the drink.
We first looked for the ball in the water. Then suddenly we discovered it was on the green and still in play. Ally jumped with joy and shouted, "Magic!" The innocence and spontaniety of youth!
It was hot! A boiling sun with no breeze.
After the game, we went upstairs for lunch. Boondock's has a children's menu. And thereon was the universal kids' dish. Macaroni and cheese! And that is what Robert and Ally had.
Also, diet cokes. Two each! Little did I know that Lisa does not permit them to drink sodas. No wonder they enjoyed them so much!
Ice cream for desert!
Tired with full belleys, they both slept in their car seats on the ride home.
Last night I went to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. A piece of fish. Mahi mahi. And 2 gins! Finally!
I sat outside on the deck of the Hot Tin Roof for a while. Overlooks the water, boats, deck and people. Pleasant and interesting!
Then home to catch the second half of the Los Angeles/Orlando basketball game.
I did it again! The game went into overtime! I slept through the overtime! Some day I will stay awake to catch the last few exciting minutes of a game!
The world is a crazy place. Try not to let the walls of insanity that surround us touch you. My comments are motivated by the recent shooting at the Holocaust Museum in Washington.
I think I am going to read a bit today. I deserted the Harry Truman book for some others recently. Time to get back to Truman!
Enjoy your day!
I drove Robert and Ally up to Boondock's for miniature golf and lunch.
I have not played miniature golf in over 50 years. It probably cost $.25 a round back then. Yesterday, it was $8 a head! Wow!
Well worth it, however! The course is beautiful. And Robert and Ally had a good time!
Robert and Ally had never played before. Robert at 5 was better coordinated. Ally at 4 had a bit of difficulty.
I would like to say I beat them at the game. However, after the first hole I realized I could not play, watch them, coordinate them, guide them and teach them at the same time! So my ball went in my pocket.
A good idea, any how! That way I would not have to come up with an excuse for losing to them!
Boondock's even has water holes! On one of them, Ally's ball went in the water. Or, so we thought! There was a way the ball could escape the water. The ball found that path. And Ally's ball ended up near the hole rather than in the drink.
We first looked for the ball in the water. Then suddenly we discovered it was on the green and still in play. Ally jumped with joy and shouted, "Magic!" The innocence and spontaniety of youth!
It was hot! A boiling sun with no breeze.
After the game, we went upstairs for lunch. Boondock's has a children's menu. And thereon was the universal kids' dish. Macaroni and cheese! And that is what Robert and Ally had.
Also, diet cokes. Two each! Little did I know that Lisa does not permit them to drink sodas. No wonder they enjoyed them so much!
Ice cream for desert!
Tired with full belleys, they both slept in their car seats on the ride home.
Last night I went to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. A piece of fish. Mahi mahi. And 2 gins! Finally!
I sat outside on the deck of the Hot Tin Roof for a while. Overlooks the water, boats, deck and people. Pleasant and interesting!
Then home to catch the second half of the Los Angeles/Orlando basketball game.
I did it again! The game went into overtime! I slept through the overtime! Some day I will stay awake to catch the last few exciting minutes of a game!
The world is a crazy place. Try not to let the walls of insanity that surround us touch you. My comments are motivated by the recent shooting at the Holocaust Museum in Washington.
I think I am going to read a bit today. I deserted the Harry Truman book for some others recently. Time to get back to Truman!
Enjoy your day!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
I survived yesterday!
Golf was a pleasure. But pure devistation!
Because I was under the weather for a few days, I had not eaten. Ergo, I was naturally weak. Top it with an imposing sun! I was dead! I could not wait for the round to end!
Of course, I played lousy. At least this week, I had an excuse.
Played with Don, Larry and Yankee Jack. Lost $11.
I crawled home after the 18 holes were completed. Tired I was!
I had a light lunch and climbed into bed for a long nap. It was not to be. Lisa showed up with the grandkids to swim. Robert and Ally were in and out of my bedroom.
After they left, I decided to go out to dinner. I needed a good meal.
First, I had to shave. When a man's sick, he shaves not. I looked like a bum!
Since it was Wednesday, I stopped first at Aqua to see Bobby Nesbitt. He was not there. He's up in Rochester, NY visiting his mother.
Randy Thompson was filling in for Bobby. Thompson is a drag artist. Note that I said artist, rather than queen. He is a spectacular impersonator. Top of the line.
Thompson is absolutely beautiful! Looks like a woman, sings like a woman! He is a woman!
And his voice! Soft like a woman's!
What a performer!
Then to La Trattoria for my long awaited meal.
The bar was empty. I was the only customer. There were few in the restaurant portion, also.
Kathy bartending.
Beecha showed up. She was not working. She came over and we had dinner together at the bar, with Kathy joining in our conversations.
Beecha raced last Sunday in the 12.5 mile swimming race around Key West. She came in 7th out of 74 overall and 4th in the women's division. Pretty good! It took her 5 hours 45 minutes. The race ran about an hour slower this year because of the tides.
She never practices. Just does it.
After the race, she consumed a bottle of what she described as high protein beer and rushed home. Where she collapsed on the bed and slept for 5 hours!
There is another race around the island this Sunday. A different sponsor. She is racing again! I am impressed! She is crazy!
Beecha insisted I try the mussels. La Trattoria has a new mussel appetizer. So we shared one. Absolutely delicious! I am not crazy about mussels. However, they were my mother's favorite food. In memory of Mom topped with Beecha's cajoling, I dug in. Terrific!
I followed the mussels with a bowel of creamed something soup. That was it for dinner! As much as I wanted to eat, I was afraid to do so.
Also, I did not drink!
Golf by day and Randy Thompson and Beecha at night were enough for me! I hurried home to an early bed.
Today is a big one! I am baby sitting Robert and Ally again. However, this time Lisa is going to let me drive them around.
I have had to take minimal steps to acquire Lisa's trust.
This is a big deal! I had told her that just hanging around the house all day sucked!
The game plan is to take a drive up to Boondock's in Big Pine with them for minature golf and then lunch. The grandkids are excited! With the golf! This will be a first for them! And so will the day for me!
Have a happy day!
Golf was a pleasure. But pure devistation!
Because I was under the weather for a few days, I had not eaten. Ergo, I was naturally weak. Top it with an imposing sun! I was dead! I could not wait for the round to end!
Of course, I played lousy. At least this week, I had an excuse.
Played with Don, Larry and Yankee Jack. Lost $11.
I crawled home after the 18 holes were completed. Tired I was!
I had a light lunch and climbed into bed for a long nap. It was not to be. Lisa showed up with the grandkids to swim. Robert and Ally were in and out of my bedroom.
After they left, I decided to go out to dinner. I needed a good meal.
First, I had to shave. When a man's sick, he shaves not. I looked like a bum!
Since it was Wednesday, I stopped first at Aqua to see Bobby Nesbitt. He was not there. He's up in Rochester, NY visiting his mother.
Randy Thompson was filling in for Bobby. Thompson is a drag artist. Note that I said artist, rather than queen. He is a spectacular impersonator. Top of the line.
Thompson is absolutely beautiful! Looks like a woman, sings like a woman! He is a woman!
And his voice! Soft like a woman's!
What a performer!
Then to La Trattoria for my long awaited meal.
The bar was empty. I was the only customer. There were few in the restaurant portion, also.
Kathy bartending.
Beecha showed up. She was not working. She came over and we had dinner together at the bar, with Kathy joining in our conversations.
Beecha raced last Sunday in the 12.5 mile swimming race around Key West. She came in 7th out of 74 overall and 4th in the women's division. Pretty good! It took her 5 hours 45 minutes. The race ran about an hour slower this year because of the tides.
She never practices. Just does it.
After the race, she consumed a bottle of what she described as high protein beer and rushed home. Where she collapsed on the bed and slept for 5 hours!
There is another race around the island this Sunday. A different sponsor. She is racing again! I am impressed! She is crazy!
Beecha insisted I try the mussels. La Trattoria has a new mussel appetizer. So we shared one. Absolutely delicious! I am not crazy about mussels. However, they were my mother's favorite food. In memory of Mom topped with Beecha's cajoling, I dug in. Terrific!
I followed the mussels with a bowel of creamed something soup. That was it for dinner! As much as I wanted to eat, I was afraid to do so.
Also, I did not drink!
Golf by day and Randy Thompson and Beecha at night were enough for me! I hurried home to an early bed.
Today is a big one! I am baby sitting Robert and Ally again. However, this time Lisa is going to let me drive them around.
I have had to take minimal steps to acquire Lisa's trust.
This is a big deal! I had told her that just hanging around the house all day sucked!
The game plan is to take a drive up to Boondock's in Big Pine with them for minature golf and then lunch. The grandkids are excited! With the golf! This will be a first for them! And so will the day for me!
Have a happy day!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
A quiet day in Paradise yesterday.
I was sick. The good life got to me.
As with all aging homo sapiens, the body breaks down. One of my problems is diverticulitis. The last time I had a problem was two years ago. I watch what I eat and avoid any reoccurences.
But last Friday I screwed up. I had a soup dish full of risotto. Oh, so good! Oh, so bad for the stomach!
I payed over the weekend and through yesterday. Had to see the doctor, do blood work, have a CAT scan. Problem diagnosed. Put on a couple of antibiotics and already feeling good.
Probably too good. I plan on playing golf this morning.
Hope I am around to visit with you tomorrow!
I was sick. The good life got to me.
As with all aging homo sapiens, the body breaks down. One of my problems is diverticulitis. The last time I had a problem was two years ago. I watch what I eat and avoid any reoccurences.
But last Friday I screwed up. I had a soup dish full of risotto. Oh, so good! Oh, so bad for the stomach!
I payed over the weekend and through yesterday. Had to see the doctor, do blood work, have a CAT scan. Problem diagnosed. Put on a couple of antibiotics and already feeling good.
Probably too good. I plan on playing golf this morning.
Hope I am around to visit with you tomorrow!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
I was driving around yesterday listening to the radio. A talk show. It was reported that today is an anniversary date for Milton Berle's first TV show. Sixty years, I think.
Milton Berle brings me way back. There may be some too young to have heard of him.
Berle hit the TV screen in 1948. I was 13 years old!
His show was on NBC. It was called the Texaco Star Theater.
Berle was an instantaneous TV success! The show ran 7 years. Nielsen ratings were as much as 80 per cent. Can you imagine if a show had such a Nielsen rating today!
Berle was the utimate comedian. He became known as Uncle Miltie and Mr. Television. A very big hit!
I read somewhere that the sale of TV sets doubled the first year Berle was on television. Over 2,000,000 sets were sold. That's how big he was! That's the impact he had on the American public!
I like to recall TV sets back in those days. TV was relatively new. My Father had one of the first TV sets. The screen was all of 3" x 4". Eye strain!
Recalling Milton Berle caused me to recall two other TV shows which also impacted the viewing public. Especially my generation!
The Mickey Mouse Club and Howdy Doody.
Mickey Mouse started in 1955. Howdy Doody earlier in 1947. Mickey Mouse I started watching in college. Howdy Doody as a grammar school student in 1947.
Both were cult shows. Followers galore!
I was in college in the mid 1950s. Mickey Mouse went on at 5 and Howdy Doody at 6. Each floor of the dorm had a wreck room. With a TV set. We all crowded into the wreck room at 5 for the 2 shows. Monday through Friday. And we sang along with the theme songs for both shows.
Mickey Mouse had the Mickey Mouse March. The music slowed at the end of the song with the verse "...it's time to say goodbye."
Howdy Doody had its own song also. "It's Howdy Doody Time!"
Howdy Doody was a marionette or puppet. What ever way you might want to describe him. His counterpart was Buffalo Bob Smith. And who could forget Clarabedll the Clown!
Howdy Doody had 48 freckles. One for each of the States. There were only 48 States back then!
Picture again 30 or more young male college students in that wreck room every evening. Tomorrow's leaders. Watching the Mickey Mouse Club and Howdy Doody! And joining along in the singing of the theme songs!
Only in America!
Milton Berle brings me way back. There may be some too young to have heard of him.
Berle hit the TV screen in 1948. I was 13 years old!
His show was on NBC. It was called the Texaco Star Theater.
Berle was an instantaneous TV success! The show ran 7 years. Nielsen ratings were as much as 80 per cent. Can you imagine if a show had such a Nielsen rating today!
Berle was the utimate comedian. He became known as Uncle Miltie and Mr. Television. A very big hit!
I read somewhere that the sale of TV sets doubled the first year Berle was on television. Over 2,000,000 sets were sold. That's how big he was! That's the impact he had on the American public!
I like to recall TV sets back in those days. TV was relatively new. My Father had one of the first TV sets. The screen was all of 3" x 4". Eye strain!
Recalling Milton Berle caused me to recall two other TV shows which also impacted the viewing public. Especially my generation!
The Mickey Mouse Club and Howdy Doody.
Mickey Mouse started in 1955. Howdy Doody earlier in 1947. Mickey Mouse I started watching in college. Howdy Doody as a grammar school student in 1947.
Both were cult shows. Followers galore!
I was in college in the mid 1950s. Mickey Mouse went on at 5 and Howdy Doody at 6. Each floor of the dorm had a wreck room. With a TV set. We all crowded into the wreck room at 5 for the 2 shows. Monday through Friday. And we sang along with the theme songs for both shows.
Mickey Mouse had the Mickey Mouse March. The music slowed at the end of the song with the verse "...it's time to say goodbye."
Howdy Doody had its own song also. "It's Howdy Doody Time!"
Howdy Doody was a marionette or puppet. What ever way you might want to describe him. His counterpart was Buffalo Bob Smith. And who could forget Clarabedll the Clown!
Howdy Doody had 48 freckles. One for each of the States. There were only 48 States back then!
Picture again 30 or more young male college students in that wreck room every evening. Tomorrow's leaders. Watching the Mickey Mouse Club and Howdy Doody! And joining along in the singing of the theme songs!
Only in America!
Monday, June 8, 2009
It gets a little warmer every day. That means a bit more humid each day. I am finding it difficult to handle. Strange.
Anyhow.....another great day in the making! Sun up, no breeze, water calm.
Lisa and the grandkids showed up at around 10 yesterday morning. The grandkids wanted to swim. I was still in bed. I stayed in bed.
All of a sudden, Ally came running into my bedroom. "There's a frog in the pool!"
I think they expected me to be the big game hunter. No way! The bed was too comfortable. However, I did take the time to explain to her and Robert, who fiinally showed up, that the frog found his way in from the ocean and would find his way out. They could swim in the pool. Share the pool with the frog, I told them! We share the ocean with the frogs and fish.
It worked! They went back to the pool to swim. And I got to stay in bed!
Later on I lunched at the Pier House. I enjoy Sunday brunch there. I can sit by the beach and read the Sunday papers at leisure.
Then home to watch the golf tournament. Tiger came through! Great driving! His putting needs some work. He is still missing putts he rarely did before his surgery. However, yesterday he played well enough to win! And it was not easy! These young guys and some of the older pros are all hitting the ball so much better. The overall level of play has risen this past year.
Golf over, I headed for the Gardens. Sunday night is becoming a must at the Gardens!
Good music and good people! Good conversations! I enjoyed especially chatting with the charming Gail Miller and later with Gardens' owner Kate Miano.
Kate just returned from a 2 week trip to Thailand. Had all kinds of interesting things to share. I continue to be amazed at her recovery from the back surgery she had several months ago. A big deal surgery! Much pain for quite a while following the surgery. However, Kate now is all mended and well. And able to do things like traveling. Good for her!
I was hungry. Opted for the Hot Tin Roof.
I was surprised how busy it was for a Sunday evening.
However, the bar was empty. I sat at the bar, dined alone and watched TV. A big TV night! The Tony awards and the basketball game! I had the remote control. Why not! I was the only one at the bar. I was going back and forth. Loved it!
I am beginning to think that the Hot Tin Roof is the friendliest restaurant in Key West!
All the town's restaurants, big or small, are good. But there seems to be something special about Hot Tin Roof. The help goes out of their way to make sure you are enjoying yourself. This, on top of the great food and excellent pricing, makes the Hot Tin Roof a place for all to try.
Enjoy your day!
Anyhow.....another great day in the making! Sun up, no breeze, water calm.
Lisa and the grandkids showed up at around 10 yesterday morning. The grandkids wanted to swim. I was still in bed. I stayed in bed.
All of a sudden, Ally came running into my bedroom. "There's a frog in the pool!"
I think they expected me to be the big game hunter. No way! The bed was too comfortable. However, I did take the time to explain to her and Robert, who fiinally showed up, that the frog found his way in from the ocean and would find his way out. They could swim in the pool. Share the pool with the frog, I told them! We share the ocean with the frogs and fish.
It worked! They went back to the pool to swim. And I got to stay in bed!
Later on I lunched at the Pier House. I enjoy Sunday brunch there. I can sit by the beach and read the Sunday papers at leisure.
Then home to watch the golf tournament. Tiger came through! Great driving! His putting needs some work. He is still missing putts he rarely did before his surgery. However, yesterday he played well enough to win! And it was not easy! These young guys and some of the older pros are all hitting the ball so much better. The overall level of play has risen this past year.
Golf over, I headed for the Gardens. Sunday night is becoming a must at the Gardens!
Good music and good people! Good conversations! I enjoyed especially chatting with the charming Gail Miller and later with Gardens' owner Kate Miano.
Kate just returned from a 2 week trip to Thailand. Had all kinds of interesting things to share. I continue to be amazed at her recovery from the back surgery she had several months ago. A big deal surgery! Much pain for quite a while following the surgery. However, Kate now is all mended and well. And able to do things like traveling. Good for her!
I was hungry. Opted for the Hot Tin Roof.
I was surprised how busy it was for a Sunday evening.
However, the bar was empty. I sat at the bar, dined alone and watched TV. A big TV night! The Tony awards and the basketball game! I had the remote control. Why not! I was the only one at the bar. I was going back and forth. Loved it!
I am beginning to think that the Hot Tin Roof is the friendliest restaurant in Key West!
All the town's restaurants, big or small, are good. But there seems to be something special about Hot Tin Roof. The help goes out of their way to make sure you are enjoying yourself. This, on top of the great food and excellent pricing, makes the Hot Tin Roof a place for all to try.
Enjoy your day!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sunday!
A beautiful day in the making! Sun already up. A bit of clouds. Very little breeze. Water moving slowly.
I predicted rain for yesterday. Because the wind was from the south. When I went to bed it had not yet rained. I could not figure it out. Nature here in the keys is a generally reliable and a good determinant.
I was not to be disappointed.
About 11 last night it rained! Big time! Poured! Thunder and lightning! Ba ba boom kind of thunder! And lightning that lit up the sky over the water!
The street in front of my house is still flooded a bit this morning.
It rained!
I did not get to the beach in time to see Beecha complete her swim around Key West. So as of this time I do not know how she did.
I did get to the beach, however. About an hour after the race was over. I went with Lisa, Corey and the grandkids. Fort Zach beach.
My grandkids are terrific in the water. Fish. They tell me their job is to watch me. To make sure I do not stray too far alone. Cute! Love them!
We stayed a couple of hours. Then the sun was getting to us and we left.
The sun really got to me. I went to Lisa's for a bite and then home to bed. Where I stayed till this morning. For whatever reason, the sun wiped me out yesterday!
Have a peaceful Sunday!
A beautiful day in the making! Sun already up. A bit of clouds. Very little breeze. Water moving slowly.
I predicted rain for yesterday. Because the wind was from the south. When I went to bed it had not yet rained. I could not figure it out. Nature here in the keys is a generally reliable and a good determinant.
I was not to be disappointed.
About 11 last night it rained! Big time! Poured! Thunder and lightning! Ba ba boom kind of thunder! And lightning that lit up the sky over the water!
The street in front of my house is still flooded a bit this morning.
It rained!
I did not get to the beach in time to see Beecha complete her swim around Key West. So as of this time I do not know how she did.
I did get to the beach, however. About an hour after the race was over. I went with Lisa, Corey and the grandkids. Fort Zach beach.
My grandkids are terrific in the water. Fish. They tell me their job is to watch me. To make sure I do not stray too far alone. Cute! Love them!
We stayed a couple of hours. Then the sun was getting to us and we left.
The sun really got to me. I went to Lisa's for a bite and then home to bed. Where I stayed till this morning. For whatever reason, the sun wiped me out yesterday!
Have a peaceful Sunday!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Slept late this morning!
Sun already up and blazing!
Wind from the south. About 15-20 miles an hour. Generally when the wind is from the south, it is going to rain. We shall see. Does not look it at the present time.
Yesterday was a good day! All day!
Lunched at the Yacht Club. Read the papers. Chatted a bit.
Then to Borders to read a while. Ran into Don's Place's Kurt who bought a few books. Kurt shaved off his beard. No longer looks like Santa Claus!
Got a call from son in law Corey. He had jsut finished one week of Federal Court jury duty. Sat on a criminal trail. The result was a hung jury. It was interesting to hear Corey describe his experience. I had many questions. Remember, I am a retired attorney. It was interesting to spend the time with Corey discussing his impressions of the trial, the jury system and American justice.
Corey is a good man. Made an excellent juror, I am sure.
Then home for a nap. Enjoy my late afternoon slumbering.
Last night was outstanding! Just a good time all the way around!
I started with dinner at the bar at La Trattoria.
Erin bartending. The crowd good. It was a weekend night. At least one sitting.
I sat next to William. Had run into him before. A CPA here in Key West. Owns a couple of motels, also. On the board of a local bank. Good company, good talk.
Lisa's friend Greer was there having dinner. She came over to say hello and give me a kiss. Greer is one attractive and smart woman! Has worked for years at Casa Marina where she has a top job. I know her parents well. It was good to see her again.
It must have been Lisa's night! Her boss Kerry was there also.
Beecha was her usual beautiful self! Love Beecha!
We never know some one till we know them. Sounds like a Yogi Berra statement! Anyhow, there is a swimming race today. Around Key West. 12 miles. This is the third year for the race.
Guess what? Beecha swims in the race. Yes, around the island. Tied once with the male winner. Came in first another time in the women's division. Beecha told me it will take about 5.5 hours to complete the race.
She does not train. Just goes out and does it. The race ends at Fort Zachery Taylor. I am going to try to be there around noon to cheer Beecha on.
I finally made it to the Key West Art Bar after I left La Trattoria. I have been trying to get there for weeks.
The Art Bar is located in the former Flagler Railroad Station building. Yes, the railroad use to come to Key West at one time. Henry Flagler made it possible. Then the hurricane of 1935 wiped out most of the bridges and tracks and it was never rebuilt. But the station itself remained as an historical site.
It used to be located over on the Atlantic side of the island. Several years ago it was moved near the Gulf side. It was that or be destroyed. A development was going in where it originally stood.
It sits now across the public parking lot and near Half Moon Raw Bar.
A lovely yellow wood structure.
Barbara Grob is the proprietor.
I have known Barbara only briefly over the years. I remember when she opened her first store on Truman. A small art store. She sold paintings and jewelry made by others. And metal geckos made by her! A gecko is a small lizard, from my perspective. She pounded out the geckos in all sizes and got her start in business.
She was successful. Needed a larger store. Moved to White Street. A big store!
It became a gold mine! She eventaully sold it and made some good dollars.
When she was on White Street, she came up with what I consider her signature item. A black tee shirt. For men and women, alike. With white print: Art Slut. The tee shirts did and still sell big time!
Note carefully that the term slut is not applicable to Barbara. She is a lady. It applies only to the genius wording on the tee shirt.
She took a few years off after selling White Street. Last year she reopened her business in the Flagler Train Station.
What a difference a day makes! What a difference Barbara makes!
She is talented, deep thinking, vibrant, etc. She has a store full of Key West items such as paintings, jewlery, ceramics, sculptures and I don't know what else! Including her Art Slut tee shirts! She has it all! The place reminded me of a smaller Fast Buck Freddies.
There is also an after deck outside the rear of the store. A Wow!
Difficult to describe. I would say the decor is modern elegant Key West with a touch of the '50s.
There is a bar. She has a beer/wine license. Makes crazy drinks. Like a saki martini!
A pool table! New and just lovely! I used to play in my wayward youth. And free! The only free pool table in Key West.
A movie screen. A free movie one night a week.
Lounging sofas and cocktail tables. Interesting overhanging lights.
She has something going on every evening. Wednesday is Mafia Night. Not sure what it is. But I plan on being there next Wednesday for ancestral reasons!
Barbara sat and talked with me at length. I enjoyed our time together. I look forward to visiting the Art Gallery more often. It is a winner in the making!
It is still beautiful outside. Not a cloud in the sky. However, I am willing to bet it will rain at some point today. Because the wind is blowing from the south! A sure indicator of what is to come! I will let you know tomorrow how good my weather reporting is.
Have a good day! I plan on it!
Hope I make the finish line of Beecha's 12 mile 5 1/2 hour race around the island!
Sun already up and blazing!
Wind from the south. About 15-20 miles an hour. Generally when the wind is from the south, it is going to rain. We shall see. Does not look it at the present time.
Yesterday was a good day! All day!
Lunched at the Yacht Club. Read the papers. Chatted a bit.
Then to Borders to read a while. Ran into Don's Place's Kurt who bought a few books. Kurt shaved off his beard. No longer looks like Santa Claus!
Got a call from son in law Corey. He had jsut finished one week of Federal Court jury duty. Sat on a criminal trail. The result was a hung jury. It was interesting to hear Corey describe his experience. I had many questions. Remember, I am a retired attorney. It was interesting to spend the time with Corey discussing his impressions of the trial, the jury system and American justice.
Corey is a good man. Made an excellent juror, I am sure.
Then home for a nap. Enjoy my late afternoon slumbering.
Last night was outstanding! Just a good time all the way around!
I started with dinner at the bar at La Trattoria.
Erin bartending. The crowd good. It was a weekend night. At least one sitting.
I sat next to William. Had run into him before. A CPA here in Key West. Owns a couple of motels, also. On the board of a local bank. Good company, good talk.
Lisa's friend Greer was there having dinner. She came over to say hello and give me a kiss. Greer is one attractive and smart woman! Has worked for years at Casa Marina where she has a top job. I know her parents well. It was good to see her again.
It must have been Lisa's night! Her boss Kerry was there also.
Beecha was her usual beautiful self! Love Beecha!
We never know some one till we know them. Sounds like a Yogi Berra statement! Anyhow, there is a swimming race today. Around Key West. 12 miles. This is the third year for the race.
Guess what? Beecha swims in the race. Yes, around the island. Tied once with the male winner. Came in first another time in the women's division. Beecha told me it will take about 5.5 hours to complete the race.
She does not train. Just goes out and does it. The race ends at Fort Zachery Taylor. I am going to try to be there around noon to cheer Beecha on.
I finally made it to the Key West Art Bar after I left La Trattoria. I have been trying to get there for weeks.
The Art Bar is located in the former Flagler Railroad Station building. Yes, the railroad use to come to Key West at one time. Henry Flagler made it possible. Then the hurricane of 1935 wiped out most of the bridges and tracks and it was never rebuilt. But the station itself remained as an historical site.
It used to be located over on the Atlantic side of the island. Several years ago it was moved near the Gulf side. It was that or be destroyed. A development was going in where it originally stood.
It sits now across the public parking lot and near Half Moon Raw Bar.
A lovely yellow wood structure.
Barbara Grob is the proprietor.
I have known Barbara only briefly over the years. I remember when she opened her first store on Truman. A small art store. She sold paintings and jewelry made by others. And metal geckos made by her! A gecko is a small lizard, from my perspective. She pounded out the geckos in all sizes and got her start in business.
She was successful. Needed a larger store. Moved to White Street. A big store!
It became a gold mine! She eventaully sold it and made some good dollars.
When she was on White Street, she came up with what I consider her signature item. A black tee shirt. For men and women, alike. With white print: Art Slut. The tee shirts did and still sell big time!
Note carefully that the term slut is not applicable to Barbara. She is a lady. It applies only to the genius wording on the tee shirt.
She took a few years off after selling White Street. Last year she reopened her business in the Flagler Train Station.
What a difference a day makes! What a difference Barbara makes!
She is talented, deep thinking, vibrant, etc. She has a store full of Key West items such as paintings, jewlery, ceramics, sculptures and I don't know what else! Including her Art Slut tee shirts! She has it all! The place reminded me of a smaller Fast Buck Freddies.
There is also an after deck outside the rear of the store. A Wow!
Difficult to describe. I would say the decor is modern elegant Key West with a touch of the '50s.
There is a bar. She has a beer/wine license. Makes crazy drinks. Like a saki martini!
A pool table! New and just lovely! I used to play in my wayward youth. And free! The only free pool table in Key West.
A movie screen. A free movie one night a week.
Lounging sofas and cocktail tables. Interesting overhanging lights.
She has something going on every evening. Wednesday is Mafia Night. Not sure what it is. But I plan on being there next Wednesday for ancestral reasons!
Barbara sat and talked with me at length. I enjoyed our time together. I look forward to visiting the Art Gallery more often. It is a winner in the making!
It is still beautiful outside. Not a cloud in the sky. However, I am willing to bet it will rain at some point today. Because the wind is blowing from the south! A sure indicator of what is to come! I will let you know tomorrow how good my weather reporting is.
Have a good day! I plan on it!
Hope I make the finish line of Beecha's 12 mile 5 1/2 hour race around the island!
Friday, June 5, 2009
I stayed up late last night watching the basketball game. Los Angeles decimated Orlando!
An observation. Did Nelson affect the flow of the game? The two teams played even the first quarter. Then Nelson came in as point guard. I immediately sensed the flow of the game for Orlando changed. Was different.
Remember, Nelson has not played for 4 months. To me, it is like Tiger Woods coming back. It takes time. Last night was not the time to throw a new player into the mix. Especially into a mix that had become a winning combination!
Thank you, Coach Louis!
I started my day yesterday with a long walk. Very long. Down on the waterfront. Dante's. Schooner's Wharf, The Galleon, etc. It has become harder to walk. The humidity is a bit thicker each day. Soon my walks will be confined to twice around inside the Home Depot. It is air conditioned!
Lunch at the outside bar at the Pier House. It is obvious that Key West is between seasons. There were 3 people on the beach and only a handful at the bar.
Stayed a while after lunch reading the papers.
It was manicure/pedicure time! So off to Lee Nails on Flagler.
I have been going to Lee Nails for years. Started when it was in Duval Square and for the past few years on Flagler where it moved.
It is Vietnamese run. The same cute little lady has taken care of me for years. I have gone through two pregnancies with her. She is absolutely lovely in that quiet Asiatic fashion.
I am ashamed to admit that I know not her name. Even after all these years!
She rarely speaks, except for hello.
Yesterday was different! She was a dynamo! Talking to the customers, watching the help. I figured she was on something or was made a boss.
I was wrong in both respects.
I asked her out right, "What is going on? You are different? They make you boss?"
"No," she answered. "Me and my husband buy the place yesterday!"
What a change a day makes! What a change ownership makes!
She then proceeded to talk to me. First time ever! The words gushed out! She expressed all her concerns for their new indebtedness, the financial investment, she needs to replace 2 employees who are leaving immediately, etc. Wow, could she talk! She reminded me of my granddaughter Ally. We thought she would never talk. Then when she started, we could not shut her up!
They will make it! Big time! I welcomed her to the American world of capitalism!
Yesterday was a big day for the American way! Anna, who keeps my house tidy and in order, told me that she and her husband had made an offer on a house and were waiting to hear back from the bank today. Anna is from Poland.
After the pleasure of the pedicure, I was off to Publix for some groceries.
Grapes are a problem. Was last year at this time also. There are not many for sale. And those for sale are expensive and of poor qualty! There must be a season to grapes. And this is not it! So I bought extra bananas instead.
That was my day. You already know I stayed in to watch the basketball game last night.
Today is Friday. I will be out on the town tonight.
The sun is just coming up. Gray outside. Turning blue and gold as the sun's rays increase.
Maybe I will do the beach for a while this afternoon.....
An observation. Did Nelson affect the flow of the game? The two teams played even the first quarter. Then Nelson came in as point guard. I immediately sensed the flow of the game for Orlando changed. Was different.
Remember, Nelson has not played for 4 months. To me, it is like Tiger Woods coming back. It takes time. Last night was not the time to throw a new player into the mix. Especially into a mix that had become a winning combination!
Thank you, Coach Louis!
I started my day yesterday with a long walk. Very long. Down on the waterfront. Dante's. Schooner's Wharf, The Galleon, etc. It has become harder to walk. The humidity is a bit thicker each day. Soon my walks will be confined to twice around inside the Home Depot. It is air conditioned!
Lunch at the outside bar at the Pier House. It is obvious that Key West is between seasons. There were 3 people on the beach and only a handful at the bar.
Stayed a while after lunch reading the papers.
It was manicure/pedicure time! So off to Lee Nails on Flagler.
I have been going to Lee Nails for years. Started when it was in Duval Square and for the past few years on Flagler where it moved.
It is Vietnamese run. The same cute little lady has taken care of me for years. I have gone through two pregnancies with her. She is absolutely lovely in that quiet Asiatic fashion.
I am ashamed to admit that I know not her name. Even after all these years!
She rarely speaks, except for hello.
Yesterday was different! She was a dynamo! Talking to the customers, watching the help. I figured she was on something or was made a boss.
I was wrong in both respects.
I asked her out right, "What is going on? You are different? They make you boss?"
"No," she answered. "Me and my husband buy the place yesterday!"
What a change a day makes! What a change ownership makes!
She then proceeded to talk to me. First time ever! The words gushed out! She expressed all her concerns for their new indebtedness, the financial investment, she needs to replace 2 employees who are leaving immediately, etc. Wow, could she talk! She reminded me of my granddaughter Ally. We thought she would never talk. Then when she started, we could not shut her up!
They will make it! Big time! I welcomed her to the American world of capitalism!
Yesterday was a big day for the American way! Anna, who keeps my house tidy and in order, told me that she and her husband had made an offer on a house and were waiting to hear back from the bank today. Anna is from Poland.
After the pleasure of the pedicure, I was off to Publix for some groceries.
Grapes are a problem. Was last year at this time also. There are not many for sale. And those for sale are expensive and of poor qualty! There must be a season to grapes. And this is not it! So I bought extra bananas instead.
That was my day. You already know I stayed in to watch the basketball game last night.
Today is Friday. I will be out on the town tonight.
The sun is just coming up. Gray outside. Turning blue and gold as the sun's rays increase.
Maybe I will do the beach for a while this afternoon.....
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Golf was great yesterday!
I won $21! Had a spectacular back nine!
Groceries are affordable for another week!
Played with two gentlemen. Tom and Yankee Jack.
The weather held out. Never rained. Hot! Like 90 degrees! And humid! Tee shirt wet type humidity! Salt in the eyes!
The humidity knocked me out! I was home and to bed for a couple of hours after the round.
Wednesday night is Bobby Nesbitt time! I was at Aqua to listen to him. And greet friends. It has become a locals meeting place when Bobby plays.
I ran into Mike Fatica at Aqua. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that he had started a new bath salt business. He initially made his fortune selling hot pepper extracts. Now bath salts. The bath salts are supposedly very soothing.
Mike's new bath salt products are already available for purchase in some of Key West's leading stores and hotel gift shops.
I think Mike has another winner here.
He told me that a recent testing showed there is no tub scum, no slippery floor and that the fragrance remains on the body for several hours after the bath. So ladies......run, don't walk, and make your purchase! The bath salts can also be found at www.islandsalt.com.
I headed over to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner at the bar. Ran into many Key Westers, including Donna and Terri. They start their trip north next Monday.
I am into the risotto at the Hot Tin Roof. Thick and tasty! Its the fat they blend into it. Good tasting! A pleasure to eat! But bad for the waist line!
I am up early this morning. Before six. Pitch black outside. But I can hear the ocean moving through the open window. A nice sound!
Stay healthy!
I won $21! Had a spectacular back nine!
Groceries are affordable for another week!
Played with two gentlemen. Tom and Yankee Jack.
The weather held out. Never rained. Hot! Like 90 degrees! And humid! Tee shirt wet type humidity! Salt in the eyes!
The humidity knocked me out! I was home and to bed for a couple of hours after the round.
Wednesday night is Bobby Nesbitt time! I was at Aqua to listen to him. And greet friends. It has become a locals meeting place when Bobby plays.
I ran into Mike Fatica at Aqua. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that he had started a new bath salt business. He initially made his fortune selling hot pepper extracts. Now bath salts. The bath salts are supposedly very soothing.
Mike's new bath salt products are already available for purchase in some of Key West's leading stores and hotel gift shops.
I think Mike has another winner here.
He told me that a recent testing showed there is no tub scum, no slippery floor and that the fragrance remains on the body for several hours after the bath. So ladies......run, don't walk, and make your purchase! The bath salts can also be found at www.islandsalt.com.
I headed over to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner at the bar. Ran into many Key Westers, including Donna and Terri. They start their trip north next Monday.
I am into the risotto at the Hot Tin Roof. Thick and tasty! Its the fat they blend into it. Good tasting! A pleasure to eat! But bad for the waist line!
I am up early this morning. Before six. Pitch black outside. But I can hear the ocean moving through the open window. A nice sound!
Stay healthy!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Yesterday was a simple one.
It rained a couple of times.
Big time around 11 in the morning! For about an hour. Like a monsoon!
Then another shower at 3. Though this one was a normal downpour.
So I ended up spending the day in. Did paperwork all day.
I finally showered around 7 and headed out to Hogfish on Stock Island for dinner. Ate hogfish. What else! And read 3 local news weeklys while sitting at the bar. Quiet at Hogfish just as it had been the night before at La Trattoria.
No one to talk with, except the barmaid. Her name escapes me. Though she was attractive. And what an accent! From England. Loved it!
Then home to bed early.
Thunderstorms off and on during the night. Kept waking me.
This morning golf. Intermittent showers predicted. I can't tell what the weather is right now as it is still dark outside. Whatever, unless the showers are heavy, we will play! We are men here in Key West!
Have a good day!
It rained a couple of times.
Big time around 11 in the morning! For about an hour. Like a monsoon!
Then another shower at 3. Though this one was a normal downpour.
So I ended up spending the day in. Did paperwork all day.
I finally showered around 7 and headed out to Hogfish on Stock Island for dinner. Ate hogfish. What else! And read 3 local news weeklys while sitting at the bar. Quiet at Hogfish just as it had been the night before at La Trattoria.
No one to talk with, except the barmaid. Her name escapes me. Though she was attractive. And what an accent! From England. Loved it!
Then home to bed early.
Thunderstorms off and on during the night. Kept waking me.
This morning golf. Intermittent showers predicted. I can't tell what the weather is right now as it is still dark outside. Whatever, unless the showers are heavy, we will play! We are men here in Key West!
Have a good day!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The weather continues to be magnificent!
Key West is in the semi tropics. I live in effect on a Caribbean island. How lucky I am!
Yesterday was a quiet one. Did paperwork, read at Borders and then out last night.
I started the evening at the Chart room. Chatted with former Fantasy Fest Queen Mary Lou and her husband. Turns out she and I have some what similar backgrounds in litigation. Me as a lawyer and she as an expert witness. We had an interesting talk.
Spent some time with reporter friend Sean and banker Dan. Good people. Sean knows everything going on in town. So does Dan, except from a different perspective.
I had not been to La Trattoria in a while. So to the bar there for dinner. Glad I went! Without me, business would have been really bad!
The place was empty! A couple at the bar. About 4 tables in use in the whole restaurant.
Concededly this is a slow time in Key West. But not this slow! The impact of the recession is being felt here.
La Trattoria is a good barometer for things economic. It is always busy, even when other restaurants are not.
My good friends Donna and Terri will soon be leaving me and Key West for an extended time. In the next few days they are driving to Chicago and Detroit to visit family and friends. Then to New York City. Terri starts rehearsals June 22 for Finnigan's Rainbow which opens Labor Day. The show is anticipated to be a success. Will they ever return?
Vandenberg talk continues. It was sunk almost a week ago. People and fish alike are taking a peek.
Reporter Sean was out on the water over the weekend. He snorkled over the Vandenberg. He can dive also. However he had a big head from the night before and was reluctant to put on the tanks.
Sean says the boat sitting there is absolutely beautiful! A sight to behold! Fish are darting in and out. However not as many as he would have expected. It is anticipated it could take up to a year for the various fish to discover and make there new home in and around the Vandenberg.
He saw two divers below him attaching a Conch Republic flag to the boat. Cool was his description!
Enjoy!
Key West is in the semi tropics. I live in effect on a Caribbean island. How lucky I am!
Yesterday was a quiet one. Did paperwork, read at Borders and then out last night.
I started the evening at the Chart room. Chatted with former Fantasy Fest Queen Mary Lou and her husband. Turns out she and I have some what similar backgrounds in litigation. Me as a lawyer and she as an expert witness. We had an interesting talk.
Spent some time with reporter friend Sean and banker Dan. Good people. Sean knows everything going on in town. So does Dan, except from a different perspective.
I had not been to La Trattoria in a while. So to the bar there for dinner. Glad I went! Without me, business would have been really bad!
The place was empty! A couple at the bar. About 4 tables in use in the whole restaurant.
Concededly this is a slow time in Key West. But not this slow! The impact of the recession is being felt here.
La Trattoria is a good barometer for things economic. It is always busy, even when other restaurants are not.
My good friends Donna and Terri will soon be leaving me and Key West for an extended time. In the next few days they are driving to Chicago and Detroit to visit family and friends. Then to New York City. Terri starts rehearsals June 22 for Finnigan's Rainbow which opens Labor Day. The show is anticipated to be a success. Will they ever return?
Vandenberg talk continues. It was sunk almost a week ago. People and fish alike are taking a peek.
Reporter Sean was out on the water over the weekend. He snorkled over the Vandenberg. He can dive also. However he had a big head from the night before and was reluctant to put on the tanks.
Sean says the boat sitting there is absolutely beautiful! A sight to behold! Fish are darting in and out. However not as many as he would have expected. It is anticipated it could take up to a year for the various fish to discover and make there new home in and around the Vandenberg.
He saw two divers below him attaching a Conch Republic flag to the boat. Cool was his description!
Enjoy!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Nice day yesterday!
The weather was good. Continues to be good. Water calm. Boats out all over the place.
I had a late breakfast on the deck at the Pier House. A nice spot! Faces the Gulf. People close by swimming. Just a few feet further out, boats moving by. Very pretty!
Sat there after finishing breakfast and read the Sunday papers.
Yesterday was also a special day! Big time! Ally's 4th birthday!
Dinner and cake last night at Lisa's. Ally was all excited!
Ally is into pink big time. She was dressed in pink. Her cake was pink. With pink frosting!
Ally loves plants and planting. Enjoys helping her father grow things. So I gave her gardening things for presents.
Most pink, of course! Look hard enough and you can find pink things!
A water pail/bucket. Pink. She went crazy over it. Was outside afterwards watering everything.
A container holding plants. Must be watered every day. Flowers will eventually grow!
Another container, pink again, that she must fill with dirt. Seeds to be planted there after.
Gloves and an apron. Also pink!
And more things of a similar nature.
She loved them all. We will work with her as the days go by on the plantings.
By the way, the grandkids are now better. It took a long time. Almost 3 weeks. It was good to see them running around the house. They were bright and vibrant yesterday! What a difference! A good difference!
Key West is kind to our friends who live in the sea.
Turtle hatching season is upon us. Has been for about a month.
The mother turtle comes up on the beach and lays her eggs. At some point, they hatch. And we have baby turtles. The baby turtles then return to their natural habitat, the ocean.
They make the trip to the water at night. The little ones know which direction to travel by the moon. They follow the light of the moon and it takes them to the water.
So it has always been! Such is nature!
However, man can screw it up.
Much turtle birthing takes place in the Smathers Beach area. Across the street from the beach are located several condiminium complexes. The roadway separating the beach and condos is well lite at night.
The baby turtles were getting confused by the street lighting. So they were traveling into the road and across the street onto the condo properties. Wrong way! Not good! Many were losing their lives.
No problem. The officials of Key West corrected the situation.
The street lights have all been turned off from May 1 to November 1.
It is now dark in the area. Pitch black, in fact! But not to the baby turtles. They see the moon! And know in which direction to travel!
Have a good day!
The weather was good. Continues to be good. Water calm. Boats out all over the place.
I had a late breakfast on the deck at the Pier House. A nice spot! Faces the Gulf. People close by swimming. Just a few feet further out, boats moving by. Very pretty!
Sat there after finishing breakfast and read the Sunday papers.
Yesterday was also a special day! Big time! Ally's 4th birthday!
Dinner and cake last night at Lisa's. Ally was all excited!
Ally is into pink big time. She was dressed in pink. Her cake was pink. With pink frosting!
Ally loves plants and planting. Enjoys helping her father grow things. So I gave her gardening things for presents.
Most pink, of course! Look hard enough and you can find pink things!
A water pail/bucket. Pink. She went crazy over it. Was outside afterwards watering everything.
A container holding plants. Must be watered every day. Flowers will eventually grow!
Another container, pink again, that she must fill with dirt. Seeds to be planted there after.
Gloves and an apron. Also pink!
And more things of a similar nature.
She loved them all. We will work with her as the days go by on the plantings.
By the way, the grandkids are now better. It took a long time. Almost 3 weeks. It was good to see them running around the house. They were bright and vibrant yesterday! What a difference! A good difference!
Key West is kind to our friends who live in the sea.
Turtle hatching season is upon us. Has been for about a month.
The mother turtle comes up on the beach and lays her eggs. At some point, they hatch. And we have baby turtles. The baby turtles then return to their natural habitat, the ocean.
They make the trip to the water at night. The little ones know which direction to travel by the moon. They follow the light of the moon and it takes them to the water.
So it has always been! Such is nature!
However, man can screw it up.
Much turtle birthing takes place in the Smathers Beach area. Across the street from the beach are located several condiminium complexes. The roadway separating the beach and condos is well lite at night.
The baby turtles were getting confused by the street lighting. So they were traveling into the road and across the street onto the condo properties. Wrong way! Not good! Many were losing their lives.
No problem. The officials of Key West corrected the situation.
The street lights have all been turned off from May 1 to November 1.
It is now dark in the area. Pitch black, in fact! But not to the baby turtles. They see the moon! And know in which direction to travel!
Have a good day!
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