KEY WEST LOU / GOODBYE TO NEW YORK’S PENNSYLVANIA HOTEL

New York’s Pennsylvania Hotel was once the world’s largest. A city within a city. Twenty two stories tall. Two thousand two hundred rooms.

Today, it is down to ten stories. This morning’s New York Times described the demolition of The Pennsylvania as “poof.” It has been going, going, soon to be gone.

Glenn Miller’s “Pennsylvania 6-5,000” reflective of the hotel and its former days of majesty.

I began practicing law in 1960. In the early years when a client’s business took me to New York City, I stayed at The Pennsylvania. By that time, it was affordable. Within my budget. Also it was directly across the street from Madison Square Garden. Made it conveniently possible for me to get in a game of some sort.

Late yesterday afternoon was absorbed by me with the Syracuse/Wake Forest game and Trump’s CPAC address. Caught me switching channels periodically.

Syracuse played well. Finally. Defeated Wake Forest 72-63.

The Syracuse zone defense tightened. Prevented Wake Forest from making a 3 pointer in the first 10 minutes. The defense eased up a bit thereafter and Wake Forest ended up making 10 or a bit more 3 point shots.

The ACC season is over. Tomorrow begins the League’s season playoff.  Syracuse plays its first game tuesday. Ironically, it plays Wake Forest again. Syracuse and Wake Forest are seeded 8th and 9th respectively. Therein is why they will be meeting again.

I was interested in how Trump would come across at the CPAC gathering. He was terrific! Must give the devil his due. If and when he meets DeSantis in debate, he will destroy DeSantis. No competition.

“Cutie” is the most common slang word for boyfriend/girlfriend in 9 states. More than any other.

I would suspect “cutie” was similarly popular, if not more, 50 years ago.

Two great men delivered equally great speeches almost on the same day, though years apart.

On March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated President of the United States. The country was at the height of the depression. Roosevelt’s ever to be remembered words: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Exactly 13 years and 1 day later on March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill delivered his Iron Curtain speech. Considered one of the most famous orations of the Cold War period: “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.”

Chilling.

On this day in 1952, Ernest Hemingway finished “The Old Man and the Sea.”

The movie soon followed starring Spencer Tracy.

I watched the movie for the first time yesterday. More than 60 years after the film was released.

Watching Spencer Tracy spend 3 days and nights capturing the large fish made me tired. His bleeding hands made mine ache. Great dialogue!

One more significant day. This day in 1963. The Hoola Hoop was patented.

The hip swiveling toy was first marketed in 1958 when 25 million were sold in the first 4 months of production alone. My 3 daughters and many granddaughters tried to teach me how to hoola hoop. I wanted to learn. Great exercise, I thought.

Ally was the last one who tried.

I was a dismal failure in each instance. I could not get my hips and body to coordinate.

I have been on a good health kick for a couple of months. Lost 18 pounds!

I attribute the success to the stationery bicycle and watching what I eat. Even eliminating some evening dinners.

The stationery bike not only has helped with the weight. It resolved my ankle swelling problems which 3 doctors could not. The bike is located next to my bed. First thing every morning, I go from the bed to the bike. I am up to 50 minutes a day. Taking it slow.

My physical success has thrilled me. Did not last long, however. At 87, something always goes wrong. I woke this morning with a return of the gout. Painful! Last time 2 years ago.

I am not complaining. Merely sharing. My fear is the next malady will be a real bad one. The way the mind works at my age.

Enjoy your Monday!

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]