Key West Lou / FIRST ANNIVERSERY OF JIMMY BUFFETT’S DEATH SEPTEMBER 1

The first anniversary of Jimmy Buffett’s death is close at hand. Key West is preparing a major celebration in honor of the man.

I have decided to share a few words each day about Buffett. A history of the major American musical figure. A son of Key West.

I begin today.

A general introduction to Buffett.

He was born on Christmas Day December 25, 1946. Perhaps God selected that day knowing the pleasure and joy Buffett would provide. He was God’s gift to us on His Son’s birthday.

Buffett died last September 1.

He was an American singer-songwriter. Known for creating tropical rock sound and persona. Often described as “island escapism.” An approach that promoted enjoying life and following passions.

Buffett recorded many songs. Great ones! Easy to recall and sing. Like Margaritaville, Come Monday, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Don’t We Get Drunk, and It’s Five O’clock Somewhere.

He found the Coral Reef Band in 1975.

Buffett recorded 30 albums. Eight gold and nine platinum. He sold over 20 million records worldwide. Received two Grammy nominations. He will be posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shortly.

He parlayed his songs, “island escapism,” and lifestyle into several business ventures, including the Margaritaville Restaurant chain, now defunct Cheeseburger in Paradise chain, hotels and other ventures.

His net worth was $1 billion. Extremely commendable. From rags to riches. From playing at the Chart Room for drinks to being a presence everywhere in the world.

Buffett’s fans number in the millions. Many known as Parrot Heads.

Tomorrow, more re Buffett’s life.

Trump has recently been claiming his and/or Vance’s campaign is being hacked. For the first time, I question the veracity of his statement.

Yesterday’s news advised Trump had failed to report the alleged “hacking” of its email system to law enforcement authorities till recently.

Taking into account Trump’s general lack of veracity, it dawns on me…..Is the man speaking truth? The FBI is now investigating the matter. Perhaps the FBI will be able to tell us truth or lie.

Hacking by foreign nations does occur and has occurred in previous elections. I’m curious if Trump’s is a valid accusation in this instance. Especially since the hacking at issue was purportedly of campaign vetting papers of the increasingly non-consequential JD Vance.

The Democratic Convention begins today in Chicago. Should be good. Harris/Walz are on an upward climb. I would anticipate their coming out of the Convention a few additional points above the Trump/Vance ticket.

The “birth” of the diamond engagement ring tradition began this day in 1477. It was the first full day of Mary of Burgundy and Archduke Maximillian of Austria’s marriage. Maximillian was thrilled with his new bride! He gave her a diamond ring.

Diamond rings were not worn by ladies up to that time. It was a male thing. Shuffling the days around a bit,  it was the beginning of the tradition of the diamond engagement ring.

Insanity prevailed in early America. The Salem Witch Trials. On this day in 1692, five more people were hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. Nineteen total when all was said and done in that mentally deranged period.

Yellow fever was the epidemic of the times. Lasted more than 100 years in the U.S.

On this day in 1793, Philadelphia was the capital of the U.S. Suffered fatally from yellow fever. The epidemic lasted some 3 months till November killing around 5,000 people.

As a young boy, I recall Blue Laws. Blue Laws prohibited businesses from operating on Sundays. The day was truly the Lord’s Day.

An example of the operation of Blue Laws was a Sunday benefit baseball game at New York City’s Polo Grounds. It resulted in John McGraw and Christy Mathewson’s arrest.

Today, Blue Laws no longer exist. Sunday is “open house” for businesses.

Bill Veeck was the owner of the St. Louis Browns professional baseball team in 1951. A promoter as well. Win games and bring the fans in!

He made Eddie Gaedel a member of the team. Eddie was a midget, only 3 feet 7 inches tall. In a particular game where he needed a man on first, Veeck sent Eddie in to pitch hit. He walked on four pitches.

Everyone then understood why Veeck had Eddie on the team.

On this day in 1993, the DOW hit a record high of 3,612. Today, it is over 40,000 on a fairly consistent basis. Closed Friday at 40,500.

Amazing!

On this day in 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the female Viagra pill Addyi. I wondered if it was still around. Have not heard of it in years whereas the male Viagra pill is constantly within one’s attention.

Addyi is still available. By prescription. Does not work as Viagra does. Viagra pushes blood into the man’s penis to gain erectability. Addyi works on a woman’s mind rather than anything vaginal. The pill is for women with a decreased libido. Addyi increases a woman’s desire.

I close with an interesting fact about a Key West physician, Dr. Enrique Rodriguez. In 1954, he was 87 years old. In an interview, he advised he had practiced medicine in Key West for 55 years and estimated he had delivered almost 10,000 babies during that time. He further advised for a number of years he was the only obstetrician on the island.

He had bag and would travel any time of the day or night! The baby decided the appointment time.

Enjoy your day!

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