The mini lobster season ended yesterday. It lasts all of 2 days. A teaser. Excites everyone. And then it's over!

The report is that the Florida lobster season will be a good one. The bounty is plentiful.

The lobsters are captured by snorkeling. A person floats along the top of the water, spots a tentacle sticking out from under a rock and dives. The diver generally has a poker stick in hand. A 2 or 3 foot metal stick. Shoves it under the rock. The lobster jumps out. It is scooped up in a gloved hand and taken up to the boat.

Fun!

The mini season has a limit of 6 per person. Most people abide by the rule. Some are pigs however and go in and out with the boat so more can be captured. Does not make sense to me. The lobsters will always be under the water. The season is around the corner. Fresh catch is the best. And look at all the fun that can be had by additional trips diving for them.

Brain and Lori were at the Chart Room last night. Tourists. From San Diego. First time for her here. Brian was briefly in Key West 10 years ago.

We talked of many things. One was La Costa, the health spa located outside San Diego.

I shared my experiences with William Holden, Rodney Dangerfield and Evil Knevil whom I met there. Lori recently spent a day at La Costa. With Gwen Paltrow. Wow! I would have been happy to swap my Holden, Dangerfield and Knevil for her one Paltrow!

It was lobster day all around. I stopped at Kelley's for the Thursday night Maine lobster special. So good!

Fred Tillman was at the bar with his wife. We chatted for a few minutes. Not only does he own Kelley's, he is also a neighbor here in Key Haven.

It was still early. So I opted to stop at Don's Place on the way home.

Kurt was bartending. One of the best guys in the world!

Rob and Beebe were at the bar. Friends and bocci team mates.

I have not seen Beebe in a while. A special woman! Always a smile! Always a kind word! Always a hug and kiss!

Beebe has worked at the Hyatt for over 20 years. She is assistant to the general manager. All 10 previouis ones! It is called staying power. She also is a Notary Public. Which in Key West means she can legally marry people. Which she does!

We talked of bocci. The last season was terrible. Rob and I are measuredly hopeful for the new one which starts in 2 weeks. Beebe, ever the optimist, says the season will be great!

We shall see!

The days continue to be humid. The nights not so bad. The worst is yet to come! August is hotter and Septemebr even more hot. Sweat is the order of the day! Few clothes as possible are worn!

The best way to describe the inceasing intensity of the heat is to describe the ocean water. The ocean this time of the year is like bath water. Warm!

Have a good day!

Yesterday was a tough golf day in more ways than one!

It was the humidity! The worst I have ever experienced!

Some one told me last night that the heat factor was over a 100. I believe it.

It was especially unbearbale on the holes where the trees blocked the minimal wind that was out on the course. The air was heavy. Breathing was an occasional problem.

I wear a hat when I play. For two reasons. The first is to prevent sun stroke. The second is to absorb my brow sweat. Yesterday there was no absorbtion factor. I could feel the salty sweat constantly flowing into my eyes. My eyes were burning the whole round.

When we finished playing, I went into the men's room to wash up. I looked in the mirror. My eye balls were bright red! Fire engine red!

I played with Don, Yankee Jack, Larry and Randy. All four played terrific. I played lousy. I ended up the big loser!

I spent the afternoon in my darkened bedroom. The air conditioning was blasting away. I had to crawl under the covers to keep warm. It felt good!

Last night Don and I had drinks and dinner together at the Yacht Club. A good evening!

Don is a first class business man. He runs Don's Place with anal precision. And for that, he is successful.

Don came to Key West from Buffalo where he was a newspaper executive. He was with a newspaper chain outfit whose name escapes me.

Whatever he brought to that job and whatever he learned at that job, he has interejected into the running of Don's Place.

After dinner, we stopped at Don's Place for a night cap.

I was home in bed before 10.

Yesterday was the start of the mini losbster season. A big deal!

For 2 or 3 days each year at this time, the government permits diving for lobsters.

The boats were going out like crazy yesterday morning. It is an event! Some of the boats were overloaded. It reminded me of that scene in Jaws where all the boats, big and small alike, went out to capture the shark. Most of the boats were overloaded. So it was yesterday!

There are thieves out there also.

The mini season starts at midnight. Divers with dark water suits and tanks swim along in front of homes on the water. They are capturing the lobsters that lie in the rocks beneath our docks. A couple of times over the years I have gone out in the middle of the night with a flash light. As one of these scoundrels would swim by, I flashed the light on him. They would look up with startled expressions and abruptly swim away.

It is called stealing! All of us own 25 feet out from the shoreline. The lobsters are within the first 5 feet.

I can feel the humidity already this morning. It is blowing thru the open window like a blast furnace. Back to the air conditioning!

Enjoy your day!

Today was absolutely outstanding yesterday!

The show featured Key West for 2 hours. Perfectly!

Everything on Today was the real Key West. No politicians, no phoney boloneys.

Every one and every thing featured was what we locals know and appreciate.

Familiars faces and places.

I was pleased to see Bob from Hogfish, Kermit from Key Lime Pie, Howard Livingston (2 times), King Timothy, Queen Kate, Fast Buck Freddies, the Red Pepper, Hemingway House, the Trolley, Mallory Square characters (in the early morning) and on and on.

All well known to we who live in Key West and to the viewers who might have visited here.

Congratulations to Today for the quality of the show. Congratulations also to the on screen locals who helped make the Today show the highlight it was. My congratulations extends also to those locals behind the scenes who worked to make the show a representative success.

Of course, I did not go down to the Westin to see Today in person. I watched from my bed. Too early for me to be up and out!

I had a quiet lunch yesterday at the Yacht Club. Read the papers.

Then to Borders to read. I have to be Borders' best non paying customer.

When I returned home, Lisa was here with the grandkids swimming. A joy!

Last night I hit the Chart Room first. Dead! Where is every one? Second night in a row it has been empty!

I went over to La Trattoria for dinner. I did not believe what I saw! Not one person at the bar! Only a couple of tables in service!

The Chart Room is a locals place. So I do not understand why no one was there.

La Trattoria is more of a tourist place. It is summer time. That would explain it.

Erin was grumbling a bit. All of a sudden, 5 customers showed up at the bar. A whole party of 5!

Erin said I brought her good luck!

And then the restaurant started filling a bit also.

I was home in bed by 9:30.

This morning golf! I can't wait!

Have fun today!

Good morning!

The Today show is in town! Matt Lauer and Ed Roker.

They are down at the Westin.

Too early for me to be there. I am watching the show on TV as I write this blog.

Glad to have them here in Key West!

I used to watch the Today show religiously. Then came Morning Joe. No comparison! I am hooked on Morning Joe! I am awake every morning at 6 to watch it!

I spent yesterday in. Paper work again.

Last night, I hit the Chart Room first. It was just me and Michael the bartender. No one else!

Marty was still home in Hallendale. He had a stress test yesterday. We talked afterward. He did well, though a bit tired. Captain Peter had been in and left. Sean had not been in at all.

While I was enjoying my drink, Kurt showed up. Kurt is the late afternoon/evening bartender at Don's Place. So I had never seen him at the Chart Room.

Turns out it was Kurt's night off. Also, his friend Richard was playing the drums with Larry at the Wine Galley.

I had planned on having dinner at La Trattoriria. Kathy was bartending. However I opted to join Kurt and listen to Richard.

I had a light bite to eat at the Wine Galley bar.

Then the world showed up! From Don's Place. Even Don! And Michelle! And at least a dozen others.

Richard appears to be an accomplished percussionist! He blended well with Larry. Alex was blowing his horn.

All in all, a pleasant evening.

Humid this morning. And overcast. Looks like rain at some point. Wind strong, though. And from the north. So it could pass over. Probably will.

For whatever reason, I have found that a wind from the south guarantees rain. Whereas a wind from the north means not necessarily so.

Wowie! My friend Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24 are on the Today show. Singing "Living on Key West Time!"

Now Roker is showing and talking about the 4,000 chickens running around the island.

Today seems to be picking up on the real Key West. They already have featured the Hemingway House and the Little White House.

I am going back to bed to watch the rest of Key West on Today.

Enjoy your day!

Sunday has once again come and gone.

It was a good day.

I did basically nothing!

I watched Meet the Press. Hillary Clinton for the whole hour! Interesting! She is a dynamic figure!

Then Lisa and the family came over. It was swim time.

In the pool and in the ocean. Robert and Ally were terrific! They are fish! Take after their father Corey who dives for a living as an archeologist at Mel Fisher Museum.

Lisa laid out a couple of big bath towels on the deck. She made some sandwiches and cut up some fruit. We had a picnic sitting there on the towels!

After they left, I spent the rest of the afternoon in bed watching TV and snoozing.

Last night I had dinner at Lisa's. Read the Sunday papers afterwards. Articulated with Robert and Ally.

And then home to an early bed.

Truly a day of rest!

Required by the mind and body on occasion!

Yesterday it was for me!

It is a glorious Sunday morning! Bright sun, moving water, little humidity.

I slept late again. It is getting to be a habit.

Marty is up in Hallendale for the weekend. He just telephoned me. "Where is the blog? It's after 9!" Actually, he woke me!

I went to the Shrimp Shack for lunch. Fish and chips. Great fish! Large chunks, lightly deep fried! And the fries were a wow! Big and salty!

I know. A bit of a cholestrol trip!

All the shrimp boats were in. And I mean all of them! It had to be the weather. There was no room to park another boat. Nor was there an ability to see open water beyond the boats. That is how packed it was!

The Shrimp Shack is also a fresh fish market. Fish markets have tons of old newspapers to wrap the fish in. I forgot to buy a newspaper. So I walked around till I found a stack of old newspapers.

The newspaper I selected was several days old. The main article had to do with the 40th anniversary of man setting foot on the moon.

The most spectacular thing I have seen or experienced in my life!

I remember the evening well.

It was later in the evening. We were all glued to the TV.

My four children were between 5 and 10 years of age. They were sleeping as the landing approached. I woke them and herded them into the family room.

My sense was this was a monumental moment! I wanted them to be a part of it! To share it! To be able to tell their children some day that they were there, so to speak!

I explained to them what was about to occur.

They are all adults today with children of their own. None remember that evening.

I tried!

I do remember, however. The fact that we were able to fly to the moon and actually have two men walk on its surface that evening excited the hell out of me! On top of which the whole thing was being transmitted electronically back to earth as it happened!

A big night! A proud one for all Americans at the time. And still a proud moment for us!

Last night I skipped the Chart room and stopped into Don's Place.

Don was there! I had not seen him in 5 weeks.

And I am happy to say there was a beer sitting in front of him! He's back!

My bocci partner Jules and her husband Jim were there also. Plus their Tampa friend Maria. Sitting on the same stools I had left them on the night before. Do not get the wrong impression. I am sure they went home and about in between.

I chatted with Maria for a while. A lovely person! Personally and appearance wise.

Maria is 41. She is a special education teacher back in Tampa. Loves her job! It was easy to see how good she must be at it.

Afterwards, I decided it was time to do the Duval crawl and see the Hemingway look alikes.

The tourist end of Duval was blocked off from traffic. Had been that way all day. Will be that way all day today, also.

It was a street party! Stands selling all kinds of things from food to jewelry. Tons of people milling about.

And Hemingway look alikes up the ass! That is the only way I can describe it. All white bearded and beer bellied!

A sight to see!

I stayed a while. Drank a bit too much. Never ate. A big head this morning!

But it was a good time!

Enjoy Sunday! For whatever reason, I consider it the best day of the week! Part of it is Meet the Press, the Sunday papers and Sunday dinner with Lisa, Corey and the grandkids!

Slept late this morning.


Woke to big time thunder. Loud and continuous. It's going to rain soon.


Very humid this morning. I have the window open so I can see the water and the lone palm tree. The hot air is blowing in.


Yesterday can best be described as a pleasant one.


I lunched at the Paradise Cafe. Cuban toast with melted cheese and tomato. Read the papers.


Then to Borders for a couple of hours. I am into a book about the last 30 days of World War II. I keep drifting from the Truman book. Too long. Like War and Peace. Someday I will finish it, however.


Lisa, Corey and the grandkids came over around 5. Thanks to Robert I now have bloodied sheets!


Robert and Ally love to jump up and down on my bed and roll around. Robert had scrapped his knee earlier in the day. The band aid came off. So did the blood. All over my white blanket and light blue sheets! How am I going to explain that one to the cleaning lady?


The Chart Room was busy again last night. The Golden Girls were in. Jane and Debbie. Che, Marty, David and Sean also. Great conversations, back and forth. A person could never write the dialogue I hear there every night.


Every one has been reminding me that I left out one of the "regulars" who has a name plate and hole on the bar rail. May I be forgiven!


He is Panamah Peat. Yes, I spelled his first name correctly. It has an h at the end.


Panamah is still alive. He makes jewelry. Occasionally he works at Mel Fisher Museum, also.


I have never met him. He apparently does not frequent the Chart Room as much as he once did.


Marty and I had dinner at the bar at Square One. It was good to see Patticakes and Michael and other friends. A great meal, also! It was supplement my iron intake time last night. A steak and spinach!


On my way home I decided to stop at Don's place. Don returned Wednesday from a month long vacation at some lake in Indiana. I had not seen him yet.


He was not there. Means he is not drinking.


Don gives up alcohol consumption for the whole month of his summer vacation every year. It is dry out time, as he desccribes it. I am assuming he is continuing the healthy life for a few days longer. Worry not, he will return!


My bocci partner Jules was there with her husband Jim. Also, Jules' childhood friend Maria who is visiting from Tampa. Kurt was bartending. Good people! I enjoyed the company of all!

The night got even better after I fell asleep. I woke in the middle of the night. The TV was on. And so was Mamma Mia!

I loved that movie! Meryl Streep was terrific! It was a happy film!

I caught the last 15 minutes of it!

I worked hard on some paper work this week. I plan on a Louis weekend. Yesterday is a reflection of what today and tomorrow will be. I may go onto Duval to see all the Hemingway look alikes walking around. Tomorrow there is an art show at Green Parrot. Who knows! What ever the mood and the moment direct!

This being retired can be difficult!

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

I slept a bit late. Good!

The sun is up. A slight breeze. The water creeping along.

Another great Key West day in the making!

I had a late lunch yesterday at Hogfish. It was quiet at the time. A cool breeze was blowing in. I took my time and read the newspapers.

The Chart Room was crowded again last night. Marty, David, Che, Sean, Captain Peter and many more. The conversations are wild! I sometime wish I could record them to report later on word for word. The Chart Room and its guests would probably make a good plot for a TV series.

Thursday night has become Maine lobster time at Kelley's Restaurant. Marty, Che and I hit the outside bar for dinner. A great meal and a good time!

This is Hemingway Look Alike Weekend in Key West! There will be Hemingways everywhere! The contest is an annual big time event. Although island wide, the primary action is at Sloppy Joe's.

Enjoy your day!

I was correct in the prediction of my golf game yesterday.

I sucked!

I had not played in 3 weeks. I was really bad on the front nine. No swing! I was lucky to get passed the ladies' tee on my drives!

Then things started turning on the back. The swing returned. I started striking the ball well. Well enough to win $2 overall!

I played with Larry, Yankee and Randy. No one was really a big winner or loser. It was that kind of day.

The Chart Room was a bit busy last night. Marty, Captain Peter, Dan and Che.

The big item of discussion was Che and the moose.

Che had killed the moose the night before!

Chart Room walls and ceilings are full of all kinds of novelities and writings. Most if not all of which contribute to the folklore of the room.

Last year at Fantasy Fest, some one brought in a plastic inflated moose head. And hung it on the wall!

It did not belong. It was out of place. But, there it stayed.

Che loves the Chart Room. He is one of its oldest attendees. He considers himself the room's protector as well as keeper of its folklore.

Apparently the plastric moose head has been bugging Che.

Two nights ago he took the bartender's fruit knife and went over and stabbed the moose head!

The moose head is no more! Che was strutting last night! Proud of his accomplishment!

Only in Key West, my friends! Only in Key West!

It's 5 am. I am up early.

Very dark outside.

I can hear the water.

Strange weather yesterday. There was a storm around noon. Lasted a couple of hours.

It was almost like a hurricane. Dark, thunder, lightning, wind. And rain!

The storm was not predicted.

Summer is the rainy season in Key West. Normally it rains for about 10 minutes every afternoon around 1 o'clock. Not this summer. Either it does not rain at all for several days or we get a storm. Storm times are not predictable. It will rain in the morning. Sometimes at dinner time. There is no pattern this year.

A scientist I am not, but I think it all has to do with global warming!

I had a very pleasant evening. Kate Miano had a small dinner party to which she invited me. Good company! Good food!

Her Italian extraction was evident. Pasta with meatballs and red sauce. She cooked the sauce herself. Made the meatballs also. Her mother taught her well.

Kate is reigning Queen of Fantasy Fest. She had her cohort Captain Timothy, the reigning King, at dinner also. Bob was there. Celeste also. Celeste is a partner in Mama's Flowers. Her partner Danya did the florals for my daughters Lori and Lisa's weddings several years ago. Good people!

The wine flowed. Second helpings of pasta were in order. And ice cream for desert!

I will have to run 5 miles this morning! Only joking! Run I do not!

However, I do play golf. And today is Wednesday. So I will be teeing off at 9 this morning. That will be exercise enough!

I have not played in 3 weeks. So my poor game excuse is already out there!

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was another great Key West day!

Perfect weather! Happy people!

I met Marty and Mick Barnes at the outside bar at Southernmost yesterday afternoon. Marty you know. Mick is a Key West lawyer. Perhaps the best litigator in the keys. He recently obtained an $8 million result for a client after 2 trials and at least one appeal.

We chatted and enjoyed the ambiance. The setting at Southernmost is perfect. The pool was full with frolicking vacationers. The laid back atmosphere was contagious.

Driving home, I had the radio on. The station was playing a rerun of a Frank Mc Court interview made a few years ago. Mc Court is a widely respected author. Wrote Angela's Ashes which won a Pulitizer Prize. He died last week.

Mc Court was talking about his never having gone to high school, but receiving a college degree. An intersting tale.

Mc Court was born into abject poverty. Born in 1930 in Brooklyn, the depression wreaked havoc on his family. His father took all of them back to his roots. Ireland! Mc Court's Dad thought things would be easier there. They were not. The depression was worse. And the family was stuck there!

Mc Court did grammar school. Never high school. He had to work to help the family. To survive.

At 19, he returned to the United States. He did manual labor. Like loading and unloading ships at the New York docks.

He had a thirst for knowledge. Became a big time reader. He consumed Henry James and Dostoyevsky. Heavy stuff!

He decided he wanted to go to college. However he never went to high school. He figured it would take 5 years of night school to get his high school diploma. He did not have the time!

So he visited the admissions office at NYU. The admissions clerk was concerned he had not attended high school. A commotion was developing. The Dean of Admissions went to the counter to see what was going on. Mc Court explained to her he wanted to go to college. She said you have to go to high school first. He said I do not have the time. She asked what qualified him. He said I read. She asked what. He said Henry James and Dostoyevsky.

The end result was that Mc Court was conditionally admitted to NYU as a freshman conditioned on his maintaining a B average his first year. He did and subsequently was awarded his college degree. Without ever having attended high school!

Mc Court spent the next 30 years in high schools. As a creative writing teacher. He said the first time he ever set foot in a high school was the day he went to work as a high school teacher after obtaining his college degree.

An interesting success story!

Last night started at the Chart Room, as usual. I looked at the holes in the bar and pondered. I probably will every time I am there from now on.

Marty and I decided to eat at the bar at La Trattoria. Kathy's night to bar tend. We like Kathy!

The bar was packed. Many interesting local people.

Paul Toppino was there with a lovely young lady. Paul always is with a lovely young lady! But this one was special. He introduced me. It was his daughter.

Paul is a Key West icon. His family is deeply imbedded in the roots of Key West.

Paul's grandfather built US 1. All of it! He became enamoured with Key West and stayed and raised a family here. Paul is son of the son. Paul and his brothers are engaged in all sort of construction work now in the Key West area.

A good person. I am proud to call him friend.

Across the bar was Jean Thornton. What a woman!

In 1996 Jean and her girl friend Debbie Sexton were in Key West on vacation. They did the Mel Fisher Museum. Met Mel Fisher himself. An exciting thing, since Mel was originally from Indiana as Thornton was.

Jean and Debbie decided they wanted to dive and search for gold. Mel explained they first had to be cetified as divers. Also he explained how they could invest in his diving program and if gold was discovered, share in it.

The ladies did their training and became certified. They made their respective investments. And out they went on one of Mel's ships. Their first day of diving produced nothing. They earned a second day by swabbinbg the boat's deck and the like.

On the second day, Jean and Debbie found a 21 link gold money/wedding chain. A big find! These two school teachers in their 40s literally struck gold!

The big day was July 8, 1996.

Jean and Debbie have ever since been known as the Golden Girls!

Jean came over to chat. She brought Debbie with her. Jean is becoming a friend. Debbie I met for the first time.

All in all, it was quite a day and quite an evening!

Just when I think I have learned all there is to know about Key West, something new pops up!

I was at the Gardens last night. Sunday is music time from 5 to 7:30.

Met Ray at the bar. A local. Also a resevoir of Key West lore.

The Chart Room entered our conversation. He told me that the ashes of some Chart Room regulars rest in the bar at the Chart Room. He claimed that holes were drilled in the bar and the ashes placed therein.

I rushed over to the Chart Room. Fortunately, Che was there. I would label Che as the Chart Room historian. He probably is the oldest customer still around. Still living would be a more apt description.

I repeated Ray's story to Che. Che says, "He's right!" Che was surprised I did not know.

The Chart Room has been part of the Pier House for many many years. Like forever. When the Pier House was remodeled 2 years ago at a cost estimated in excess of $40 million, the Chart Room was left untouched. It is still the same small beat up room it has always been!

History lives in the Chart Room!

And last night I was made aware to what degree!

Che proceeded to give me an education.

There are several small name plates on the wood bar rail. Each has a small drilled hole above it. About 1/2 inch in diameter.

The name plates are only first names or some nick name representing the person. The holes were all drilled before any one died.

These individiuals were obviously cremated as they passed on. A small portion of their ashes fill the holes and are sealed. Che described the quanity of ashes as a "dime bag." The remaining portion of ashes were either scattered over the ocean or sit in a urn in someone's home.

One of the plates has 3 initials. M is the first. F is the last. I forget the middle initial. It is Mel Fisher's. The man who struck gold when he discovered a sunken Spanish galleon off the coast of Key West some 25 years ago. $400 million in sunken gold!

Another plate is labeled Whistle Pants. I never heard of Whistle Pants before last night.

Whistle Pants' real name was James Cox, Sr. Cox was a banker from Chicago who retired to Key West. Lore has it he used to sit in the corner seat of the bar at the Chart Room from 1 pm to closing every day.

Why the name Whistle Pants? Cox invented pants that whistled! For real! A whistle was located in a pocket and every time a leg moved, a whistle sound came forth. Cox sold the pants and the concept to some company and made a small killing! Apparently the company did not as I am not aware of whistling pants ever being for sale nation wide.

Then there is a plate named Bob. Bob I knew. My friend Bob Smith. Bob died about 4 years ago. In fact, it was Bob who first introduced me to the Chart Room and the group there. He was proud to be one of the regulars visiting the Chart Room every day at cocktail time.

You will recall that about a month ago I was at the Chart Room for a party honoring Geoff Chapman. Chapman died 3 years ago. I never knew him. He appears to have been very popular and well liked in Key West. He was General of the Conch Republic Army. Chapman's plate is labeled Goeff.

There are only 2 plates whose holes remain unfilled. Which means there are two living members of this unique club. Jim Cox, Jr. and Che.

Young Cox is son of Whistle Pants. He is in his 40s. He does not live in Key West.

The other is Che.

Che considers himself the keeper of tradition and lore in the Chart Room. And he is! He is also its historian! Che is proud that when his time comes, he will still live on in the Chart Room when his ashes are depositied in his hole.

Che became very excited last night when I told him I was going to write about this facet of the Chart Room in today's blog. His excitement was not one of pleasure. It was one of concern. He was afraid I would screw up the story. He wanted it to be historically correct. The subject matter demanded correctness. He even made me take notes.

Che, I hope I did you and the Chart Room properly! If I erred somewhere, it is minute and will not take away from the solemnity of that reported.

And Che, I hope it is many years before your ashes lie within that bar rail! Your friends can wait for you!

Strange day yesterday! But a good one!

A Louis day!

I slept late. Always good.

I had a haircut appointment at 11. Lori is on a month's vacation. So her partner did my hair.

My hair is cut short. Very short. Shorter than a crew cut. A step away from being totally bald.

Lori's partner almost went that final step! I walked out of the hair shop a cross between a bald headed Bruce Willis and some one in a concentration camp!

I stopped at Lisa's. The grandkids were having lunch. So I had lunch with them. Robert and Ally are now 5 and 4 respectively and converse well. Always interesting!

The family had been to a yard sale earlier. Robert is a Space Wars freak. There was a big black helmet for sale. The helmet talked in the gruff way those bad guys did. All one had to do was press a button.

Robert got excited when he saw it! The people running the yard sale ended up selling it to Robert for $.25! Nice people. Thrilled Robert no end!

He had to scare me with it while I was having lunch!

I then went home for a while to watch the British Open on TV. Go Watson!

My past week had been rough. I decided to screw off over the weekend. Be nice to Louis!

So I opted for a manicure and pedicure. It was time for both.

I fell asleep during the pedicure.

When I returned home, Lisa, Corey and the grandkids came over to swim. My grandchildren are fish in the water!

Speaking of fish, another shark has been spotted! A whale shark. About 25 feet long. It is sitting off Marathon in the low water. The experts say the shark is there because of the the change in tides. Whale sharks feed off small fish. Just open their mouths and gulp them in. There is a spot off Marathon where the little ones move through by the thousands.

It has been suggested that whale sharks can be dangerous. Son in law Corey says no! They are only interested in tiny fish. He has observed many in his dives and he claims they were of no concern. Each basically ignorred the other and went about their own businesses.

My heart could not handle it!

After they left, I sat down to watch some TV. It was Saturday night. I am always out on Saturday night. Not last night! For some reason, I decided to stay in. Made myself a small dinner. Had a drink with it. And then off to bed for a good night's sleep.

The British Open is on already. Watching it is how I will spend this Sunday morning.

Enjoy your Sunday, also!

Yesterday was my son John's 50th birthday! Happy birthday son!

I remember when he was born 50 years ago. We were living in Syracuse. It was the summer before my senior year in law school.

John was to be our first born.

His mother got the pains and we were off and running to the hospital. However, she did not want to go directly. We had to make a stop. She said she was hungry. Actually, she was scared.

We stopped on Erie Boulevard at a greasy burger joint. She had a cheeseburger and chocolate shake. She ate in the car.

Obviously she did not keep the goodies down long. It was a first time effort and who knew.

We arrived at the hospital and my wife was taken from me. In those days, husbands were not permitted to remain with their laboring wives. A barbaric thing in retrospect.

I was left waiting on the first floor and his mother was taken to the fourth floor to do her thing.

Many hours later John was born. When the nurse showed him to me, his head was pointed. Really! Iasked her about it. No problem she said. It was the forceps. And she took her hand and pushed his forehead down into normal position.

John was beautiful. I was proud of him!

His mother did not look as good. I felt bad for her.

I stayed a while and then left. I had to go to work. I was a milk man. In those days, people had milk delivered to there homes. It was not purchased in a store. And the milk came in glass bottles. Only quart size. The cream was on top. It had to be shaken to blend into the body of milk below it.

I drove a truck loaded with cases of milk. Drove standing up. I was at the dock at the usual starting time that morning. 4:15. Loading my truck. And telling everyone about my son!

We named our son John after my father. My father is still with us and 95 years old. Yesterday, on grandson John's 50th birthday, my father fell. Broke his nose and wrist.

He's OK, except for the discomfort. He was returned home last night and we talked. There is a birthday party for John today and my father's concern was that he would be unable to shake hands with guests. Love the man!

Have a good day!

Good morning world!

I overslept. Rarely do. Awoke at 8. Normally up around 5. It is now close to 11.

I have been doing some law work the past 2 days. Had to finish this morning. That is why I am so late writing today.

I spent all day yesterday working. From 7 am to 5 pm. Did not stop even for lunch. Loved it! I miss legal work!

I was beat, but definitely needed to get out last night for a few drinks.

As usual, I started at the Chart Room. Then over to Kelley's for dinner. Love Kelley's thursday night special. Maine lobster with all the fixings!

Kelley's bar was packed. I finally got a seat next to a lovely lady. Tall, tanned and blond.

Her name was Susan. She has lived in keys for 30 years. She has been a realtor for last 15. Sells houses from Big Pine to Key West. She lives on Little Torch Key.

She was there for the Maine lobster also.

Turned out to be a fun time! Susan is as intelligent as she is lovely. Our conversation covered a multitude of items. From religion to swimming to the economy to love.

I hope I run into Susan again. She was good company!

Enjoy your day!

I never left the house yesterday!

I had some paperwork to do. Spent the whole day and part of the evening doing it!

Except for an occasional step out onto the deck, I spent the day at my kitchen counter plugging away.

Today may be the same.....

A real quiet day yesterday!

I am hooked on the Sotomayor confirmation hearings.

I am impressed witht the Judge. Very!

Her responses to inquiring questions, if they may be called such, are thought out and to the point. Her knowledge of the law impressive. She is not and has not been a loose cannon while on the bench. She believes in the rule of law and seems to have always applied it, regardless of the result.

And that is the way it is supposed to be!

When I practiced law, I never liked appearing before a Judge who was a loose cannon. Clients were entrusting me with their cases because I was supposedly knowledgable and good. That meant I knew the law and generally could predict the result even before I walked into the court room.

That preassumed the Judge knew the law also and would follow it. Not always the case. If the Judge deviated fromt the law for whatever reason, my client and I were in trouble. If the Judge was by the book, as with Sotomayor, then we were OK.

Senator Lindsay nailed Judge Sotomayor with some negative comments made about her by attorneys who had appeared before her. He had apparently obtained the information off a web site. Made Sotomayor sound like a tyrant on the bench!

Last night one of the political talk shows said that Lindsay's information came from an internet site evaluating judges by having attorneys write in. Sotomayor had no problem the past several years. However, since her nomination by Obama, the site had been flooded with negative comments about her.

American politics at play!

I had dinner with Lisa and the family last night.

Perogis! I have not had them in years. They were terrific!

Robert enjoyed them as I did. Ally not. She refused to eat them. That left more for Robert and me!

Afterwards Robert, Ally and I played cards. They won! I lost! They have become very good at this game called 8s! And, of course, they delight it beating me!

Other than dinner at Lisa's, I never went out last night. Did not have a drink, either.

What a good boy was I!

I am up early this morning. the black of night is now turning gray. Key West mornings are great! Sort of seductive the way the sun sneaks up on you!

Slept late this morning!

Sun already up! Bright! No breeze. Palm tree just standing there. Water not moving.

And humid!

I walked the waterfront yesterday morning. Trying to get back into good health!

Parked my car at Paradise Cafe. Then walked over to the water. My route took me by Dante's, the back side of Half Moon, along Turtle Kraal, the backside of Waterfront Market, along Schooner's Wharf, outside the Conch Republic, by Alonzo's, across the street to the Galleon, around the Galleon dock and then back again along the same route in reverse.

A good solid 30 minute fast walk!

I was soaking wet from the walk. Bought a bottle of water at Paradise and sat and read the papers. Later I had lunch at Paradise. Cuban toast with melted cheese and tomato. The best!

Then to Borders for some book reading. I glanced through a work on pre Castro Cuba. What a place!

The question presently is two fold. Will Cuba ever be fully open again to U.S. citizens? What will be the impact on Key West?

Many here in Key West believe the opening is coming. And soon! And that Key West will benefit economically!

We shall see.

I stopped into the Chart Room last night. I was all alone by the telephone. The bar was empty!

Peter had already been in and gone. I called Marty on the cell. He was in Miami.

So I was alone!

Two tourusts came in and saved me. Andy and Anikue.

Andy and Anikue are from Brooklyn. Their fifth visit to Key West. They love it! They have always stayed at the Pier House.

Andy is a paramedic at a New York hospital emergency room. He runs the whole operation. Five emergency vehicles and a staff of 50 odd persons. A big responsible job!

I learned a lot about ambulance work and paramedic activity. Whether a trauma, heart attack or whatever, these people are our immediate initial chance for survival!

Anikue (that is her name!) was an attractive lady! As lovely as her name! Her job is the most important of all. She is a stay at home Mom of 3! And proud of it!

My dinner was wings at Kelley's bar. Good, as usual!

Then home to an early bed.

I have a screw off day in the making! Nothing on my plate! Good!

I hope you can squeeze some do nothing time into your day!

A quiet Sunday yesterday!

Hung out at home. Read. Watched golf on TV. Lisa, Corey and the grandkids came over to swim.

A Chart Room group dinner last night. Marty, Captain Peter, Sheila and I dined together. Good people! Good company!

Then Marty and I went over to the Pier House's Wine Galley. Larry Smith's Sunday Showcase!

Larry has done it again! He discovers new talent and develops that person!

This time it is Patricia Tennyson.

Patricia is a lovely 25 year old. Mother of two. A student.

And a singer!

Listening to her was an experience.

On the way out of the Pier House, I stopped into the Chart Room to say good night to Sheila. I could see her sitting at the bar. I had left her elsewhere 2 hours earlier after dinner.

Sheila was chatting with Gary and Jane. She introduced me.

Gary and Jane are visiting from Australia.

It never ceases to amaze me. Key West is a magnet drawing people from all over the world.

Such was my Sunday. Nothing dramatic. But overall good!

Enjoy your day!

Love early gray mornings!

Just as the sun starts peeking over the horizon.

A strong wind this morning. The lone palm tree outside my window is bending a bit.

Key West has several weekly newspapers. One is the KEYNOTER. Yesterday's publication carried an article on local bloogers. One of them was me. My reporter friend Sean Kinney wrote it. The article even has a picture of me. www.keysnet.com.

I walked yesterday morning. Like days of old. I have gained 10 pounds. Time to get rid of it.

It was hot. Hot hot! Humid!

I walked from the Atlantic to the Gulf and back. Fast. 40 minutes. Soaking wet when done!

Then to Lisa's to visit the grandchildren and have lunch. A small turkey sandwich. A good boy was I!

Last night was fun company at the Chart Room. Marty, Captain Peter, Sean, Kathleen and Sheila.

Dinner was at the bar at La Trattoria with Marty. I left him there enjoying Erin's company and headed home.

I decided to stop at the strip club/gentlmen's club Bare Assets for a nightcap on the way home. The last time I was there was about 6 months ago. Viewing the bare assets of the opposite sex is always a pleasurable thing.

One drink and three pole dances later, I was back in my car and on my way home. The one thought in my mind was what a sad way for these women to earn a living!

Today is Sunday. Love Sundays! I can read all the newspapers!

Very relaxing!

Till tomorrow.....

Son in law Corey Malcom is Director of Archeology at the Mel Fisher Museum. He has been at the Museum for over 25 years. His life is the ocean and that which exists beneath its surface.

Turtles were once a big business in Key West. There was a turtle factory on the docks near the present Turtle Kraal Restaurant.

Either the turtle population diminished or interest in turtle as a food diminished. In any event, the turtle factory ceased as such many years ago. At one time in recent years, a rough sort of turtle mueum was at the site. Recently there has been nothing. Just an empty building.

The remaining factory structure is not too large. About 20 feet by 50 feet. Four sides of shake shingle wood with a roof. Four windows. Sits on a dock over the water.

Mel Fisher Museum has agreed to lease the old turtle factory building for 5 years. A new turtle mueum will be opened. Corey will be responsible for its operation.

Last night Corey held a gathering at the site of the new turtle museum. The whole world turned out! Over 200 people. They could not all fit into that 50 x 20 structure at one time. So a second show had to be scheduled for 2 hours after the first.

The building was packed! Like sardines in a can! And hot! Remember only 4 windows. And humid as hell outside besides!

As the evening progressed, the water was running off me! My shirt was soaking wet at the end. I had to have lost 5 pounds!

However, the event was terrific! Worth suffering through!

Besides turtle turtle talk last night, Corey was excited about a movie he had discovered and after much anguish was able tobtain a copy of for showing.

The movie was Carib Gold. Made in 1955. Had to do with shrimp fishing in Key West at time.

In his comments leading up to the movie, Corey said the film was probably the worst edited film he had ever seen. He was correct! What a mess! It may also be the worst movie overall ever made.

However, the movie was made in Key West and showed Key West as it was in 1955. And that was its importance.

Nothing much has changed much from 1955 till today. Other than Key West is now larger.

There was Sloppy Joe's, Duval Street, the Strand Theatre, the Harbor, Fleming Street. Interesting to see.

The film had quite a cast.

Etherl Waters starred. She was a big time black actress and blues and jazz singer. She has been dead at least 30 years now. A large heavy set woman with white hair. She received a 1949 Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Pinky. Some of you might remember her as Beaulah the house kepper in the famous TV show of long ago.

Cicely Tyson was in the movie, also. Her first! She had a supporting role. She was 22 at the time. Now, 76. Tyson also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. In 1972 for her performance in Sounder.

The actor who excited me the most was Coley Wallace! I recognized him immediately when I saw his face.

Wallace played Joe Louis in a film about Louis' life made in the 1950s. He looks just like Joe Louis!

Coley Wallace had somewhat of an interesting carreer both in sports and acting.

He was an amateur boxer. Perfect to play Joe Louis! He also boxed Rocky Marciano for real at one time in his career. Marciano subsequently became one of the biggest and most popular heavyweight champions.

However, before Marciano boxed professinally, he was an amateur. As an amateur, he made it to the finals of the New York Golden Glove Tournament. And guess who he fought? Yes, Coley Wallace! And Wallace beat the future world champion in a three rounder!

Wallace was in another big hit movie boxing film. Raging Bull. The story of Jake La Motta. Robert di Niro played La motta. Wallace played the famous French fighter Marcel Cerdan.

Such was my night last night! A good one! Except for the heat, of course!

When I left, I went straight to the first bar I could find. Not for booze! For water! I was dehydrated!

Have good day! Do something nice for some one!

Good mornig!

I slept late!

It is after 8!

Another beautiful Key West day!

Most mornings I am up while it is still dark. As I write the blog, the day begins. Not today. The day is up in all its glory!

Obama is on television. He is speaking from Italy. He better return home! The wolves are nipping at his heels and the vultures are swooping! The next few months are going to require Obama the Politician. Energy and health care are two vital issues important to this country. It is going to require all of his talents to get these programs passed.

I watch Obama and I wonder why any one would want to be President. I have also had this thought with previous Presidents. So many issues. So many problems. How does any one handle all of them?

Obama's plate is full! It is spilling over!

Pleasant lunch yesterday. Sean and I went to Hogfish. Great place! A Florida keys place! Thatched roof! Open air! Shrimp boats in the background!

What a place for lunch! What a life!

Last night Sean was at the Chart Room. With his mother Mary who is visiting. A nice lady! We did a round table with Marty, Captain Peter and several others.

Marty took me out for my birthday last night. I wanted to go to Kelley's. I heard they had a Thursday night Maine lobster special for $19.95. And so we went.

What a great meal! 1 1/4 pound lobster, salt potatoes, corn on the cob.

I have not had Maine lobster in 3 years. I like it so much better than Florida lobster. Florida lobster tends to be tougher and lacking in taste. It has to be dressed up when cooked. Whereas Maine lobster merely boiled/steamed is tender and sweet.

Lovely Erica and Chris bartending. Bob having a drink at the bar.

Kelley's is a pleasant Key West atmosphere.

Ironically I woke in the middle of the night. Had trouble going back to sleep. Flipped on the TV. There was Kelley Mc Gillis of Top Gun fame!

Kelley was a top movie star in the '80s and 90's. She still does an occasional film.

Fred Tillman presntly owns Kelley's Restaurant. Fred and Kelley Mc Gillis were married during Kelley's big time star film days. They lived in Key West! Opened Kelley's Rerstaurant. Bought another restaurant. Then they divorced. Fred got the restaurants. Kelley moved to Pennsylvannia.

While they both lived here, they were both a part of the community. I recall attending many functions and parties with them.

Another part of interesting Key West lore!

Enjoy your day!

Golf yesterday!

Only Yankee Jack and I showed up. From 10-12 players, we are down to 2. It is Summer!

Yankee is a bull of a man! A four hundred pounder! And the nicest guy in the world!

He was tired after the first hole. Beat!

Turns out Yankee had surgery last Wednesday. He was in the hospital for 3 days. It was too early for him to be on the golf course! Especially in the hot humid summer weather. Our tee shirts were soaked by the end of the first hole.

Yankee lasted 8 holes. He was getting weaker and weaker. I told him not to pass out! No way I could pick him up!

We quit at the end of 8. I was ahead. Of course! I can always beat the sick, sore, lame and disabled! Won $4! Yankee insisted I take it.

So I was home early. I did not want to play alone.

I hopped in the pool for about an hour. Swam laps. I need it!

I had a sandwich out by the pool. And then a nap. Love to nap!

Marty was at the Chart Room last night. We had a couple of drinks. Then across the street to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner.

Met an interesting couple at the bar. Brian and Aimee. They have lived in Key West for 3 years. Hail from Michigan originally!

We chatted a long time. Nice people.

Brian works for the County Attorney's office. He is part of the support staff. Aimee is at the Conch Guest house on Truman Avenue, across the street from St. Mary's Catholic Church. Aimee claims the banana bread they make for their guests' breakfast is outstanding! She invited me to stop over some morning at 8 to enjoy! I will!

I imbibed a bit too much last night. Slightly hung over this morning. I hate paying for my sins!

Key West weather this time of the year is the best! Warm and humid by day. Cool in the evening. I drove with the convertible top down last night.

The sun is already up this morning. A slight breeze. That lone palm tree outside my window swaying ever so slightly. The water creeping along.

Another good day in the making!

Have a good day!

Yesterday was a good day! A Louis day!

I went to the beach. Fort Zachrey Taylor Beach.

Threw down a beach chair and contemplated my navel.

The weather was perfect. Sun shinning. A slight breeze off the ocean.

The water was bath warm. Actually refreshing. There must have been a lot of salt in the water. I was able to float on my back with absolutely no effort. So float I did.

At one point I layed the back of my sand chair down and fell asleep. For about an hour. A good sleep.

Then home for a quick shower. And another nap on the cool sheets.

Last night I hit the Chart Room first. To my dismay, none of my friends were there. Why, I do not know. I felt sad.

After a couple of solitary drinks, I sauntered over to Sloppy Joe's for dinner. Sloppy fries again! This time however I did not enjoy the band. That loud schreeching singing. After my time.

I had one more stop in me. Irish Kevin's. Love Irish Kevin's. Get there rarely, however.

I was in the mood for something special. So I had a shot of Patron's Silver tequila followed by a bite into a slice of lime. It did the trick!

The entertainment was funny! Women were showing their bare breasts for a free Irish Kevin tee shirt. A lot of free tee shirts were given away!

Funny, women don't seem to wear bras these days. At least under a tee shirt!

Such was my day. A good day! A very good day!

This morning golf! I have not played in two weeks. I am excited. I enjoy golf and the people with whom I play. Always a fun time, even if my play is lousy!

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was my birthday. What a day!

Congrats on the blog, on other internet sites, over the telephone, in person. Out of sight! I never received so much attention before. That is not correct. There was one time. My 60th! A surprise party with 200 people.

Yesterday was better though. Unplanned. Uninvited. Unsolicited. People just communicated! It made me feel good. Thank you!

And where the messages came from! South Africa, India, Italy, Greece. England, Canada and Mexico! And from all over the US, including Florida of course, and New Hamphire, New York, Ohio, Virginia, South Carolina, Pennsylvannia, Michigan, Nevada and California.

One e mail was from Tom and Cindy. We have never met. Apparently they read the blog. Tom wrote and told me Cindy only has one leg. She rides a wheel chair. He said to watch out for them. They return to Key West in February for 2 weeks. I will be scouring Duval in search for them!

More importantly, it was Cindy's birthday yesterday. We share the same day! However Cindy is a spring chicken compared to me. Only 52! Belated birthday greetings Cindy!

These electronic birthday cards are terrific, also! I received several. All good! The best however was from friend Allen Wimer. A clip of young lovely cheerleaders singing something to the effect that ...You're old!"

Funny! Great! Only Allen knows how to hurt a person and make them feel good at the same time! Thank you, Allen!

I celebrated my birthday at The Strip House last night. Sounds sexy! Was! But not as you might think!

The Strip House is a steak house in the Reach Hotel. Strip, steak--they go together. Its location at the Reach is one of the best in town. Picture a large veranda porch sitting on the ocean. I dined on the veranda, of course.

It was a perfect evening for it. Full moon. Soft breeze.

I thank every one who took me out to dinner last night. I had a terrific time!

Enough of birthdays! At least mine! Others are still fair game.

I return to normalcy today. I have some paper work to complete this morning. Then a 10 day project will be concluded and I can return to my nomal Key West existence of goofing off!

Have a good day!

Today is special.

It is my birthday.

74!

Wow!

Time moves on. Seems like just yesterday I was a kid.

The body ages a bit more each year. Have to watch out for it and take care of it.

The mind on the other hand seems to stay the same. I am still 35 in my head!

We celebrated the occasion last night with dinner at Lisa's.

Lisa cooked a great meal. For me! Love her! My favorite foods. Fish, pasta and greens. And baked a cake, also. Chocolate with a white frosting. Another favorite!

Robert and Ally were all excited. They dressed for the occasion. Robert look like such a man in his sport shirt. Ally wore a dress. A lovely lady in the making!

They each hand painted cards for me. I hung them immediately on returning home on my kitchen wall. There was also a long sign on Lisa's wall saying Happy Birthday Papa!

Lisa and Corey gave me one of those electronic picture frames. Age comes into play here. I do not know what it is called. But you load it with about 250 pics, plug it in and they play. One after the other. Lisa and Corey loaded it with photos of the grandkids and themselves. A great gift!

The candles were lit. Happy birthday was sung with Robert and Ally sitting on my lap. They helped me blow out the candles!

I enjoyed the evening. I enjoyed my Key West family. Thank you Lisa for loving me so much!

May I be here for 75 next year! And may all of you be with me, also!

Today is the real day. What will I do? We shall see!

Have a drink to me some time today! I will think of you all when I tip the first one tonight!

What a party!

Hospice throws a fund raising party on July 4th every year. The event is held on the grounds of the Casa Marina. The Casa is a hop, skip and jump from the White Street Pier where the fire works occur.

The beach at the Casa is a perfect spot from which to watch the fireworks!

I arrived about 7:30. First time I ever attended the event. I went especially to be with Corey, Lisa and the grandkids. Robert and Alley have been talking about the fire works for days.

Glad I did!

A big Fourth of July party! Hamburgs, hot dogs, salads, corn on the cob, ice cream, pop corn and I don't know what else! All you wanted! A band playing. Friend Skipper leading the band!

People meandering around. Friends meeting. A lot of chatter.

And little kids running all over the place.

I finally found Corey and Lisa. No grandkids, however. Where are they, I asked. Lisa pointed to the far end of the beach. Robert and Ally had met friends and made new friends. They were running and playing. There were trampolines and slides for the kids.

I ate, talked, observed people and generally enjoyed myself.

We watched the fireworks sitting on one of those small pontoon sailboats on the beach. Just inches from the water.

The fire works were spectacular! Much better than I was accustomed to up north. Every one was oohing and ahing! Robert and Alley included!

The only drawback to the evening was the humidity. Hot! Thick! No breeze!

Hard to breath some times. My shirt was soaking wet. Sticking to me.

In the middle of the fire works, I had had it! I told Lisa I am going home and collapse on clean cool sheets in an air conditioned bed room!

I had to park my car a few blocks away from the Casa Marina. It was less warm as I walked. There was a slight breeze coming from the gulf side of the island. The Casa is located on the Atlantic side and the hotel iteself blocked the gulf breeze from the party people assembled on the beach.

People were standing on the streets watching the fireworks.

As I was stumbling along to my car, I heard a loud, "Hello Louis!"

It was Barbara Grob. A friend. Owner of the Key West Art Bar. She ran over to hug and give me a kiss. She was dressed magnificently. A blouse, long skirt and jewelry. Since she was watching the fire works from a vantage point where the gulf breeze hit her, she was appeared all fresh and crispy. As opposed to me who was still sweating and in a wet rumpled shirt.

I tried to push her away, saying I'm soaking wet. She didn't care. Said so. And gave me a warm hug and kiss.

A nice lady!

I did make it home to my air conditioned room and cool bed. Which I immediately collapsed into! I wanted to watch the Boston Pops July 4 show. My cable service did not have it. So I ended up watching something from Washington, DC. Good, but no where as good as the Boston Pops!

I woke up feeeling heavy this morning! Like I had drunk a lot last night! The problem is I did not have even have one drink. Must be the humidity knocked the hell out of me and I am still feeling it even after a good night's sleep.

It is Sunday. I am going to go buy the papers and find somewhere to sit for a while and enjoy some ham and eggs.

Why not!

Happy 4th of July!

America celebrates today! Cookouts, parades and the like! Very American!

Tonight there is a Hospice fund raiser at the Casa Marina. Apparently it is an annual event on this day. Hot dogs, hamburgers and then the fire works!

I have never attended. Lisa always goes and takes the grandkids. Tonight I am going to join them. Hopefully, Ally will hold my hand when the fire works go off so I won't be scared! Ho ho!

Yesterday was a long one. Did paper work all day. I am in the midst of a project I have to finish.

In the evening, I was too tired to do much. So I just popped into the Chart Room for a couple of drinks. Talked at length with Captain Peter. A most interesting person! A world traveler. Adventurer a more apt description. Some interesting stories. Not appropriate yet for sharing, however. Perhaps another day.

So Sarah Palin no longer wants to be Governor of Alaska!

Good for Alaska. Bad for the rest of us. She will be in our faces big time between now and the
2012 election.

I was not impressed with her when she ran for Vice President. Did not think she was Presidential timber. I perceived her to be a less than competent individual who lucked out in becoming Governor and then lucked out even further when Mc Cain picked her. I view her as a fringe person.

Anyhow.....now she will be free to get rich! She is writing a book which is bound to be a best seller. Also she will be able to receive huge speaking fees. Plus whatever else! A TV or radio talk show?

Before any of you think I am anti female, pleae don't. Far from it! However Palin is not a Hillary Clinton.

Sometimes I think we should go through a period when we only have leaders of the female gender. Men and women are wired differently! A term of women only might be just what the world needs to correct itself!

I'm off for an early morning swim. Enjoy your day!

Key West weather continues to be great! Sunshine all over the place!

The July 4th holiday weekend is upon us. The town is filling. I could feel it on Duval last night. Happy tourists all over the place.

This is a good time to visit the keys. Everything is cheap! Lodging and food reduced! It's off season!

I had a quiet lunch yesterday at the Yacht Club and read the papers. Then to Borders to read a bit. Still working through Richard Wolfe's Renegade about the Obama campaign.

Lisa stopped by after work with the grandkids. Robert and Ally are getting big. Each day one of them seems to grow a bit.

My evening started as usual at the Chart Room. A good place to start a Key West night.

There were quite a few people at the bar. I spent most of my time chatting with Captain Peter and Sean. We zeroed in on 2 topics. The local school board problems and the Catholic Church's sex issues.

I have had this craving the past few days for chicken wings. The best place for them is Kelley's. So I walked over to Kelley's. That is when I could sense the growing holiday crowd on Duval.

Sat at the outside bar. Bob was there. He has been a Key Wester for years. It has been a while since we have been together. I enjoyed our conversation.

Chris came over, also. Chris bartends at Kelley's. He was King of Fantasy Fest a couple of years ago. A real nice guy! He asked about Lisa and the grandkids. Chris and Lisa are good friednds.

Bob and Chris left to go over to Square One to see Patrick. Patrick bartends at Square One. A good guy also! And a good friend of Lisa's!

Patrick's partner of 20 years Les had a stroke last year. Patrick is doing a bang up job of caring for Les.

I have lived long enough to see physical tragedy strike many couples, whether straight or gay. A few times I have seen the wife not do the right thing. Either poor care or walk away. I have never seen that in the gay community.

Erica was bartending. Made the evening even better! A lovely late 20s creature!

Oh, and I did get my wings! Absolutely the best anywhere! Big, juicy and succulent!

When I was at Sloppy Joe's a couple of nights ago, I noticed a sign sealed into the table top. It portrayed a Sloppy Joe's Restaurant. The year was 1880. The place Habana, Cuba. Note the b and not the v. I write it as it was written!

It leads me to think the name Sloppy Joe's originated with the Havana operation. Key West's Sloppy Joe's opened sometime in the 1920s or 1930s. Historical lore has it that Ernest Hemingway helped carry the furniture from the old Sloppy's to its new location on Duval.

Animals get well taken care of in Key West. Very well!

A big sea turtle was found on the island sick on January 19. He/she got an infection from eating garbage. Some turtle group took the turtle in and cared for it.

They named the turtle Obama. In honor of President Obama who was to be inaugerated the day after the turtle was found.

Obama is being released back to the ocean tomorrow on the 4th of July. An appropriate day for a turtle with the name Obama! The event will take place at Higg's Beach. It will be a big deal!

A British warship is docked in Key West. The HMS Iron Duke. It will be here for 4 months while deployed in the Caribbean.

Turns out certain of the crew members are rugby players. So a match has been arranged with the Key West Rugby Club. I did not even know Key West had a rugby team, let alone that anyone here knew how to play rugby! The game is at 6:30 tonight on Stock Island. I am going to try to make it. I have never seen a rugby match.

Wow, am I long winded this morning! Sorry!

However, there is one more item I want to comment on.

California! The State is so broke it started issuing IOUs yesterday instead of money/checks to pay some of its bills. A couple of hundred million dollars worth. To vendors. For tax refunds. A real wow!

I wish I could issue IOUs to pay my bills!

Enjoy the holiday!

Raining last night when I went out on the town.

Needed to wear my slicker.

First stop was the Chart Room. Just me, the bartender and a tourist. The rain must have kept every one else away.

The tourist once lived here in Key West. He now hails from Cortland, NY. Cortland is the home of the Cortland Glass Works!

Cortland is about 100 miles to the south west of Utica. I drove there about 40 years ago to attend a lawyers' conference. It was at that time I got to visit the Cortland Glass Works.

What an experience! Truly interesting! I had never seen glass blown before. It takes talent!

If you ever have the opportunity to see glass blowing, do it! You will be impressed! The experience will stay with you forever!

Then I did something I have not done in over a year. I went to Sloppy Joe's!

I generally avoid the toursit end of Key West. I don't know what motivated me last night, but off I went. And I am glad I did!

I had a great time! The singers were raunchy! Knock the hell out of politicians! The crowd happy! Raising hell!

I ordered Sloppy Fries. French fries covered with ground beef, mozzerella and red sauce. A wow! And costs all of $7.50!

A good night! A different night!

It is going to be another great Key West day today! Probably heavy humidity wise. I can feel it already as I sit here looking out the window at the ocean and the lone palm tree. The breeze is blowing the hot air in through the open window.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

Another nice Key West day in the making! The view of the ocean from my window is spectacular! It gives me such pleasure every morning to look out the window at the water moving along and the lone palm tree swaying in the breeze.

Lisa just telephoned, as she does every morning. She wants to make sure I'm well and alive!

I spent yesterday in all day. Paper work.

Last night was quiet, also. I did the Chart Room. Chatted with great people. Marty, Sean, Sheila and Che. Then home to bed.

Today is Wednesday. Golf day. Except, I am not playing. Have to finish up the paper work that has been bogging me down the past few days.

You play golf in my place!