Pray tell, what happened to Key West and One Human Family? It exists no more. Gone! For years now.

Why? The “new” folks who began visiting and buying in Key West. “Jerks” who did not comprehend Key West was more than a Florida sunshine place. They did not understand.

Key West has changed. Dramatically.

Can we change it back?

The Christmas Parade saturday was a winner. People who attended claim it was the best ever! The largest parade wise and attendance wise.

I missed it because I cannot stand that long.

All of Key West’s parades are terrific. There is something inbred in Key West that makes them so.

I recall the years when Robert and Ally were small. I used to watch the Christmas Parade with them and Lisa and Corey. Two things always excited me. The look in the children’s eyes when when Santa Claus finally appeared. There was only one in the Parade back then. Now, many.

Also the kids “racing” for the candy. The floats would throw candy to them. The kids all had bags and would scurry into the street to pick up the goodies and put them in their bags.

Bing Crosby introduced “White Christmas” in 1942. It still resounds with us today. There is no Christmas without it.

O. Henry’s best known and most beloved short story, “The Gift of the Magi,” was published this day in 1905. It tells the poignantly ironic tale of a poor but devoted couple who each sacrifice their most valuable possession to buy a Christmas gift for the other. Both had very little money otherwise.

They both sold something of value to themselves so as to be able to by a Christmas gift for each other.

The wife had lovely long knee length hair. She had it cut and sold. For $20. Seven hundred dollars in today’s money.

Her husband’s most prized possession was a watch. The band was worn leather.

The wife purchased a platinum fob band for her husband’s watch. The husband bought a set of ornamental combs for his wife’s hair.

The husband sold his watch to buy the combs for his wife’s hair. She had cut and sold her hair, however. She had cut and sold her hair to buy the platinum clasp for her husband’s watch.

Each sold the best they had to pleasure the other. A sadness and beauty in the result. Great love represented by each’s actions, however.

The reasons for the killing of the United Health President are not as simple as initially thought. The sense initially was the assailant was an aggravated individual who himself or someone close failed to get adequate medical care.

This morning’s New York Times lead article spells out something different.

The killer came from a life of privilege and promise. Affluent family. Expensive education. His high school education alone cost $30,000 plus per year. Well educated. He suffered however from physical and psychological  pain due to a spine problem. It made dating and being physically intimate impossible.

The story will prove interesting as it develops further.

Mark Twain’s the “Adventure of Huckleberry Finn” was first published this day in 1884 in England and Canada. Due to a printing error, U.S. publishing did not occur till February 1885.

Contrary to the “mood” which seems to be swinging in Hegseth’s favor, he will not be Secretary of Defense. Trump is setting him up for a fall. Trump’s daughter in law Lara Trump, wife to Donald’s eldest son Eric, wants Rubio’s Senate seat desperately. Trump will dump Hegseth, appoint DeSantis to the Defense seat in return for DeSantis appointing Lara to Rubio’s empty Senate seat.

How “shady” government is!

We have been made aware cable TV is on a cliff. MSNBC is rocking. Now comes a change. A surprising one.

Jonathan Lemire has been hosting Way Too Early. It was announced that effective January 6, the position will be taken over by Ali Vitali. Lemire will move to the 9 o’clock MSNBC slot as a co-host.

Robots popping up everywhere. Now with pets! Specifically cats, dogs and birds.

I did a little home work. The new type robots are popular. The cats look like, feel like and act like cats. The dogs did not appear to me as doggish as they should be.

Cost anywhere from $15 to $175,000. Cheaper in some instances to buy a real pet.

I want to go out tonight. My back determines whether I will.  The back seems better the past few days. Bar stools a problem, however.

Two options tonight. A Syracuse basketball game or The Grand.

Syracuse plays Albany. Does not mean Syracuse necessarily the winner. Albany consistently improving the past few years.

My grandson Matthew did his undergraduate work at Albany. Also was captain of the basketball team.

Matthew was a terrific player in grammar school, high school and college. He played guard. He “could see the floor.” A Talent.

Also a great student. Graduated fifth in his class at Syracuse Law. Got him an outstanding job with a major New York law firm. His specialty merger and acquisitions. A genius! He has been at it several years now and must be earning $1 million plus a year by this time.

My other choice is The Grand with Steve. It has been a while.

I have decided to do The Grand. The Syracuse game does not excite me. It has been several weeks since I have been at The Grand. Time to see old friends again.

Enjoy your day!

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