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For three years prior to my heart attack last year, I used a cane. It became a necessity. A part of my life. I welcomed it. The cane prevented me from falling when I wobbled. I would suddenly lose my balance. What I describe as wobbling. I could feel it coming on and the cane prevented me from going down.
God bless America and the cane!
Following the heart attack and three heart surgeries, I found I no longer needed the cane. Ergo since the surgeries, I have proudly walked without the cane.
The wobbling has begun returning. I sense it, feel it. So I got a new cane. I had lost the old one.
I have been using the new cane for four days. What a difference! Took care of any wobbling problems. Even better, it has affected my lower back pain which has been horrendous. Three lumbar discs out of place. Two rubbing bone on bone.
For whatever reason, the cane has dramatically limited the lower back pain. To almost non-existent. May it continue to do so. My only thought for the moment is the cane makes me walk up straight. Maybe that is doing it. Whatever, I don’t care. Just glad this added benefit has manifested itself.
Last night a most enjoyable one.
It began at 6 at the Tropic Cinema. A special live show called COVID Lockdown.
Yesterday was the first day the COVID attack on Key West and other Keys was officially recognized. It was March 27, 2020. State police barricaded the entrance to the Keys. No one admitted without a specific reason. Very few were admitted.
Last night’s show was to remind us of what occurred. Key West was suddenly and dramatically shut down. Photos and videos showed all streets deserted. The town was dead. Rarely even one living soul seen. Food became an issue. How it was dealt with shown.
Many persons remained. However, they stayed in. Did not leave their homes. I was one of them. The shutdown lasted some 66 days till June 1. For me, it lasted 1 1/2 years. I lived in Key Haven at the time. Because of my age, I feared I would contact COVID and die. Other than doctor and hospital visits, never left my home. The hospital was on nearby Stock Island. My doctor’s office nearby U.S.1 so I never got into Key West proper to see the lack of life.
The pics and films were eerie, scary. Uncomfortable to watch.
The pics, videos and speakers nevertheless excellent. It was a good reminder of what had occurred and how people reacted (or didn’t react) at the time. May we never experience such again.
I decided to have dinner afterwards at Brady’s Irish Pub. Many a moon since I had dinner when Carola was bartending. She has been a joy for years. She has a Dad in Ireland who is 94. I suspect I have become a substitute father to her in Key West. She generally bakes Irish scones for me when she knows I am going to show up for dinner.
It was good seeing Carola last night. Her Dad still alive and kicking. She is going to Ireland for a month in July to visit him.
One of the owners and I chatted. He is a St. John’s graduate. Syracuse and St. John’s were Big East basketball opponents for many years. Rick Pitino discussed.
There was a Duke fan sitting nearby. I wished his school well in the game that was to be played later in the evening against Arizona. March Madness. The Sweet Sixteen. He said he had no problem. He had attended Duke for 2 years and Arizona for 2 also. So he was a winner in any event.
Met Bob Cerkleski for the first time. He was seated next to me at the bar. He owns Seastore which is an art and other fine items store on Fleming Street next to Fausto’s. We covered a multitude of sins.
He once worked at Mel Fisher with my son in law Corey. He was not aware Core had moved onto being the Monroe County Librarian. I enjoyed my time chatting with him.
Trump does not know when it is easier to own up to a “mistake” rather than tough it through with lies. I refer specifically to the mess with SIGNAL and the in effect open line for outsiders to listen in on what I sense to have been secretive information. Admit an error was made, promise to correct it, and move on. Trump’s not a winner on this one. Nor has he been much of a winner since he took office some 2 months ago.
Trump signed another Executive Order yesterday. Probably more than one. He has signed so many I fear he he is going to develop an ulnar nerve injury and require surgery.
The Executive Order I am concerned with has to do with his elimination of “anti-American ideology” from Smithsonian Institutions and Museums and at the same time replacing the monuments removed since 2020.
The Smithsonian consists of many buildings. Each a specialty, so to speak. I have spent considerable time in four. When is Trump going to learn to leave well enough alone?
American history is fraught with screw ups. Yet we survived. As hopefully we will survive those we are undergoing with Trump. Screw ups are part of our history, whether good, bad or indifferent. They represent truth and should be left alone. Trump must not be permitted to rewrite our history.
I can see replacing monuments, etc. removed since 2020. I was opposed to their removal for the same reason I do not want Trump screwing with Smithsonian today. History is history and should not be rewritten.
Screw with Social Security and invite a street revolution. Whether Republican or Democrat, people will not tolerate significant Social Security changes. It is their money being returned to them in pittance form. Many need it to survive. Americans do not live in a Mar-a-Lago like Trump, play golf almost daily and can spend money willy nilly. They respect and need the few Social Security dollars they receive every month.
Trump and Musk are already playing games with Social Security. Staff has been cut back significantly. People are having difficulty communicating to resolve their needs. The next step will be delays in payments. Then watch out!
Trump wants Greenland to become part of the U.S. in some fashion. Denmark that owns Greenland and Greenland itself do not want such. Greenlanders would enjoy more business relations with the U.S., however. They have many minerals U.S. businesses could use. Security is the Trump claimed issue. Actually, it is the minerals.
This Vance, wife and child visit a bullshit one. The wife and child visiting first purportedly to watch a snow race. Greenland people were not happy with it. A sneaky way apparently from their perspective to make it look like the U.S. was sucking up to the Greenish people to make it look like we should be friends. The Greenies viewed it as part of an attempted “takeover.” It was then announced Vance would be joining his wife and child and the visit would be only to an isolated U.S. base on Greenland. It was obvious Greenland did not welcome the visit.
Vance and family might as well stay home. Greenland appears not to want them at the present time.
My hedonistic nature will be satisfied later this morning. A manicure and pedicure with Tammy. I have been doing such for 50 years. With Tammy the last 20 years. I am good for a manicure every two weeks and a pedicure every three.
Try it. You’ll love it.
Enjoy your day!