KEY WEST LOU / YESTERDAY A GOOD DAY TILL 4:30

I am having a bad day at Black Rock.

Yesterday was a different day till 4:30 in the afternoon.

I was up at 5:30. Had a breakfast meeting at 9. Researched the blog so I would be able to write it quickly when I got home.

Nine found me at Two Friends on Front Street. Shamed I am to admit I have not been in Two Friends in 20 years. No particular reason. Just did not go.

The place was packed. Primarily tourists. Each enjoying a big breakfast.

My meeting was with Dave Hill, the owner of Two Friends, and Guy deBoer.

Never met Dave before. An interesting gentleman.

The purpose of the meeting was for Dave and I to meet and discuss Guy’s idea that we all do a radio show together. Guy moderating. Dave and I exchanging thoughts.

Dave and I are a perfect match. He a Republican, I a Democrat. National events will be the primary thrust of the show.

The show will be all of 10 minutes to begin. When yet to be decided.

I am excited. I will enjoy it and I am confident Dave will also.

Now that Dave and I are friends, I will be having lunch or dinner at Two Sisters hopefully once a week.

From Two Friends to the shirt laundry on Truman. I park my car in the Don’s Place parking lot across the street.

Normally, the parking lot is full in the morning. Around 9:30 the Breakfast Hour would still be ongoing. No cars in the parking lot.

The outside bar was not manned also.

Oh my God, all I could think was Don’s dead. He is dealing with heavy lung cancer at a Chicago hospital.

The door to the bar was open. Several people drinking. Saw Elizabeth who I have not seen in a couple of years. My drinking days are long gone so I frequent Don’s Million Dollar Bar no more.

I sought David. Don’s good friend who now is keeping the books. He was in the tiny house in the back working on them.

I did not want the door to open. I feared Don was dead.

Don has lung cancer. He was a master smoker. He recently had his first chemotherapy session at the hospital. He is staying nearby in his lake home that he and Stephanie built about 10 years ago. Their vacation home. It may never be.

Let me me tell you about Don. He is one of the nicest people I have met. Warm, friendly. The type that gave you all his attention when you were talking. Everyone loved Don! He was the man!

I played golf and bocce with him for 15 years. We occasionally lunched, David with us. Drank most days with him in his bar.

There is a sad humor to this. The doctor told me I would be better off not drinking two years ago. I stopped. Don was told to stop five years ago. Smoking, also. He was able to handle the no booze. Cigarettes were another story.

Don was an athlete in his younger days. He obtained his college degree on a football scholarship at a small college in the Midwest.

He ended up a Vice President with some newspaper chain in Buffalo. He also at one time was publisher of a newspaper somewhere else.

He visited Key West on vacation. Discovered what is now Don’s Place. He always wanted to own a bar. Bought it. Cost him one million dollars. That is why he named the bar Don’s Million Dollar Bar.

Hang in there Donald!

Returned home. It was pushing 11. Did the blog and had it out and published by 12:30.

Made myself a sandwich. Watched a World War II movie. Napped.

I woke at 4:40. I was upstairs.

Those of you who follow me regularly know I developed a falling problem that became acute 2 years ago. Comes with age. I started using a cane full time 2 years ago. Should have started 2 years earlier. It has become my best friend.

I rarely use it in the house. A person who falls generally has a sense a fall is about to occur. There is always something in a house to hold onto to prevent the fall.

I use the handrail on the inside steps second floor to first. One problem. The hand rail stops 4 steps before the end. I’m on my own from that point forward.

Yesterday was a problem. I missed the last step and went flying. I have some art work are not yet hung. They lie against the wall opposite the foot of the stairs. I went through a Jack Baron, Miro, Agam, and Renoir etching.

The art work came out ok. I did not.

My right side. Knee. My right hip. I assume I did not break it. Sore as hell, however. Right shoulder.

I take blood thinners. Bleed easy. My right elbow kept bleeding. An area about 3 x 4 inches.

I was out of band aids. Called a friend to get me some. I now have $25 worth. Was able to use a large band aid to cover the whole area.

Could not get comfortable in bed. Finally fell asleep. One hour. Woke and felt something wet. The blood from the right elbow had found a way out from under the large band aid. Sheet and blanket stained big time.

Gave up on the bed. Went downstairs to a large lounge chair. The position of my arm and hip were important. Both had to be placed gingerly. Watched TV all night. Did not sleep.

The story of my yesterday.

I’ve had better and worse ones. Not complaining. Merely sharing.

Enjoy your day!

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