[Indian Sam The Shaman and Outboard Boat Engine Mechanic] I was thinking about my 28 H.P. Commercial grade long shaft Evinrude outboard boat engine.  At the time I was needing an engine for my 28′ Soverel Sailboat. It was the weekend on Big Pine and in meandering around from yard sale to yard sale I came across her. There she was leaning sultry as if wearing a red dress against a support column under the house on stilts, all crusty looking, ye gads, I thought as I lifted up her engine cover and took a look. I grabbed her by the fly wheel and turned it. Plop, plop, she had compression. I asked the Lady of the house how much? She says how about $100? I said how about $50? She looked around to see if her husband was near. She said o.k., but hurry it up before He comes downstairs. So I handed her $50 and backed my pick up truck up towards the engine. I laid the little jewel down gently, but quickly, in the bed and sped off.

“Ella” lacked a wiring harness so I bought her one from my friend Jack Tatum. Then took the old girl home, put her in a bucket of water and hooked up some fresh gas and a hot battery. I hit the button and the old battleaxe roared. The next week I went and purchased a new water pump impeller and a set of spark plugs for her, my treat. Then I gently lowered her into the motor well of the Soverel that sat just in front of the stern and center of the boat. It was more engine then she needed. a tight squeeze.. a snuggy she.

It turned out I motor sailed the “Calypso Dancer” 4 times across the Gulf Stream with nary a cough or sputter, although I did cut the shit out of my finger once on the fly wheel while the engine was running. Those spinning teeth make quick work of flesh. For first aid I had a rag and some duct tape to wrap around my finger. Ouchie!

So now on about Indian Sam. His nickname or birth name was Coyote and he claimed to be an Apache Shaman and healer. He had a business card he would hand out that read “Native healer and Boat Engine Mechanic”. He would burn sage, chant and dance around your ill engine. Sam had a one candle or a two candle service/ceremony for outboard engines. If you had an engine that was running rough he would perform the $35 one candle ceremony for you. If the engine continued to act up after words, burning of the sage and candles he would say, “Well, you need the two candle ceremony which will run an additional $70.” He was very convincing in telling you spirits can enter into machinery causing them to run poorly.

The last time I actually saw Indian Sam was up at the Winn Dixie at the far entrance, he had just recently come from the hospital recovering from open heart surgery. I thought it odd him being a healer and all.

We went treasure hunting once on Little Pine Island with my metal detector. We found nothing. He told me how they hunted wild pigs on Little Pine. They would take a stake, drive it in the ground then take some stainless steel leader, put a big hook on the end and fasten the other end to the stake and then put a big chunk of meat on the hook. Mr. or Ms. Piggy would come along and swallow the whole affair, getting hooked internally. I can only imagine the scene of the pig trying to get away as the men came out of the bushes to club the pig to death–some leash.

Indian Sam, another piece of work, having lived on Big Pine.

[Dredging For Cheap Tourists] Quality of life in ‘Keywestworld’. How long will the residents continue to bend over and allow the greedy few to practice their “business model” rape of the city? The number of sightseeing vehicles jamming up the streets is already ridiculous except from the standpoint of a few entrepreneurs. Now they would have us vote for enlarging the main ship channel for  the new behemoths to disgorge even more cattle to be carted around and wander along looking for the ‘real’ Key West experience; while those chosen few bank accounts fatten even more and we are left to live with this clusterf**k. Not allowing dredging (which is illegal, anyway) is the island’s one lawful and logical chance to stop the madness of more for money’s sake.

The two-tone spiny lobster is a rare and unusual find. This one is from one of the trappers catch brought to Fanci Seafood yesterday. 

[Dirty Old Man] The mayor of San Diego, Bob Filner,  who is a serial sexual harasser who was forced to undergo rehabilitation checked himself out after only three days of treatment saying he was cured. Some people just don’t get it. 3 days?

The effort to recall San Diego’s embattled mayor kicked off in the nation’s eighth largest city Sunday.

[Sugarloaf School traffic light] I rarely respond to comments on the Coconut Telegraph, but yesterday’s uninformed and vitriolic piece about the Sugarloaf School traffic light begs to be answered. The commenter says that the “whiners” on Upper Sugarloaf lobbied DOT for the traffic light and that they have “blood on their hands” because of the accidents there. The truth is that parents of Sugarloaf School kids pushed for that light because of the danger to school buses trying to get on the highway. Those parents asked that the light be operational only during arrival and departure times, and be flashing at other times. Instead, DOT made the light red/green full time, but later adjusted it to be operational only during school hours. Since then, there have been no serious crashes at that intersection. One other note: Upper Sugarloaf residents do not have any of their kids on those buses…their kids walk or ride bikes to school.

[The End of Civility] There are many, many posters on CT who include insulting comments in their posts because they know that they have weak evidence for their opinion or none at all. They attack the credibility of the poster rather than his argument . It’s called “argumentum ad hominem” and has been around so long that there is a Latin name for it.

A good example is yesterday’s post about gravity systems vs grinder pump systems.

(Ed: Unfortunately the poster is correct. Most posts we receive have an insult or derogatory comment that needs editing out. Many posts have nothing left. It seem to reflect our national feeling at the present time. I understand Facebook and the other social media suffer from the same malady–people can’t say what that mean without resorting to insult.)

I would like to ask the people for help. I live on No Name Key and would love to get electricity, but I am on disability and in no way can I afford the $30,000 to hook up.You would think that I could get electric on a hardship case, but no. Can anyone help me in this situation? If you would like to help in a donation please mail a check to P.O.Box 430061, Big Pine Key, Fl 33043 or to 32714 Tortuga Lane, No Name Key, Fl 33043. I really thank anyone for there help. Sincerely, Dean Thompson

[Construction Traffic] I heard this great idea on US 1 Radio’s Biz Baz, regarding traffic flow on North Roosevelt: North Roosevelt businesses would benefit greatly if all traffic entering Key West would be routed unto South Roosevelt, and the outgoing traffic would come down North Roosevelt.  Then, when we’re ready to leave Key West and want to stop for groceries, or anything best kept cool going home, we could make those purchases, just like we used to.

Is anybody out there thinking? 

[Mosquitoes] Florida Keys considers using drones to help eradicate mosquitoes. Maybe they’ll get some Taliban in the process! Link

[First Camera] Today in 1839 details of Louis Daguerre’s pioneering photographic process were first released in Paris.

[Marathon Journal] Roman Gatesi has got to go. The Keynoter article covers the detail. While they have not talked the subject, the story is still there. Theft, special favors, and a good case of self-loathing. That is why I say fire Roman Gatesi. I guess I should interview him to be fair.

The Journal interviewed Florida Marathon City Manager Roger Hernstadt. The city will be 18 this November 2013. We talked about all the good staff members in their jobs for a long time. That experience and salary contribute to the local economy.

Will there be some form of a Historical Commission? Roger said that the interest he has seen warrants a look into such a commission. The discussion around town envision a Historical Commission that promotes history and apply plaques to certain historical place or event. There is some thought into a small place in the new city hall to display Marathon history and other historical markers. Maybe the small space could contain a little museum.

What’s the plan for the 98th/99th Street property? The City Manager pointed out that the property can easily host the new city hall and still put up some more nature infrastructure. Some of that, including improvement on what we already got, is kayak, Tiki huts, walking/jogging trails, handicap parking, and the tough to implement boardwalks centered on this property and Community Park and City Marina. There are other projects in the queue. This is out five to ten year plans. Sometimes you have to step back and see how far we have come. The city is looking spiffy. And the things to do list keeps getting longer even with non-city projects.

How about Jesse Hobbs Park? Are there any more plans beyond the unisex restroom? Any improvements has to go to the Parks and Rec Committee. They meet monthly at the main firehouse in the middle of the Marathon airport. Some of the community requests is to clean up the playground area. Specifically the playground floor needs to be something more than sand covering the floor. The same committee is dealing with the ongoing improvements to Coco Plum Beach. The beach got a lot of new sand, which makes quite an improvement.

Does the city has a risk assessment officer? Roger told me that he was the risk assessment officers, which makes sense considering he is all over the city. He knows his stuff using plain old common sense. He has been doing public service work for quite the long time.

Any last Thoughts? He listed his ideas: Community Park boardwalk, Fifteenth birthday for the city, doing things right the first time, maintaining quality work, staff-council-committees working together, and so many items not mentioned. It is good to live in Marathon with the lowest per capita tax in the county doing things right the first time.

[Lost & Found] The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

Is the gym still open in the Winn Dixie Plaza or on 1st Street next to the plumbers?

Ballroom dancing at the Big Pine Senior Center the 1st & 3rd Saturday of every month from 7:30 to 9:30pm. Everyone is invited to join the fun. There is no charge for the dancing or any lessons. For information call Mike at 305-747-8350, Nna at 512-970-4919, or Ilse at 305-872-2675.

[“I am Spartacus”] We are all Spartacus! Video

A capella is 2 words meaning without accompaniment (literally ‘A capella’  translates to “in the style of the chapel.”) However I’ve noticed some people using it as one word. I believe that is an error that has been used so much they have begun to use it as the norm.  So goes our language.

The Persuasions – DooWop Medley

What are my rights at various “checkpoints”? You do not have to open your door for the handsome police officer. Link 

We tried the baked potato recipe posted yesterday. Unfortunately, thumbs down.

Night diving seen in a whole new light.  Sounds beautiful. Link

I figured you should have breakfast in bed on your birthday. Can you reach the stove okay?

What is everyone going to do when the insurance rates raise sky high?  I’m also wondering what people are doing with their underwater properties.  Do they renegotiate?  Stop paying the note?  Because our fugly little New York neighbour paid over $600k for a termite infested tiny house which is hardly worth $300.

Dancing with the Conchs. Video

I take one Viagra for hardening of my artery. It works great.

Wanted: Big Pine Mom needs a working washing machine. Classified Ads > Wanted 

[The Hegelian Dialectic] pitting people of differing religious convictions against each other for the destruction of monotheistic religion as a precursor to scientific utopianism.

I am Spartacus because our institutions are being corrupted, our system of checks and balances ignored, and we’re being ruled by Imperial Dictate by a blind man who sees the world through instruments and his instrument is an ideology made of Hegelian dialectic and fury signifying nothing and leading to death.

I am Spartacus because they think a hellish mix of Brave New World and 1984 is a consummation devoutly to be hoped for.

I too appreciated the great Western collection posted last Friday. This is a great Marty Robbins movie! “From Nashville With Music” (1969). An incredible lineup of performers– George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, Carl Smith, Cousin Jody, Bonnie Owens, Buck Owens, Wynn Stewart, Charley Pride, Don Gibson. And starring Leo G. Carroll – (The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) From our friend at GatorRock. Video

[“Phony fish”] Fish that is not Keys fish is not “phony fish”, it’s just not local fish. So the restaurants should be disclosing where the fish is from like they do in the grocery stores: Dolphin/Mahi: Panama, Tilapia, Swai, Basia (otherwise known as Grouper substitute): China, etc. If you want fresh either catch it yourself or go to Fanci Fish and buy it.

The reason the restaurants have had to go to imports is because of the damn Sanctuary and NOAA rules which the rest of the world does not have to abide by. I’ve never seen bluegill, walleye, pike or carp (crap fish) on a menu in the Keys. I have seen bluegill offered on the mainland of Florida around Lake Okeechobee and beyond.

BP oil cleanup.

That potato recipe was very tasty.  I cooked it a little longer to make it crispier.  Was that a Captain Conch invention?  Thanks for the post and great idea.  The recipes on this here site are so good that we need a Captain Conch Restaurant.  Wouldn’t that be fun!

[Spanish fishermen stage Gibraltar artificial reef protest] Spanish fishermen sailed into Gibraltar’s waters to stage a protest over an artificial reef that prevents them from fishing, the latest move in an escalating diplomatic row over the territory.

It’s not just here! Get the gawddanged government, the sanctuaries and their worthless employees out of the way! Link

Florida Fishing Maps including the Florida Keys. Florida Fishing Maps and Fishing Spots with GPS Coordinates for your Boat, Android, I-Phone , Google Earth and more. Link

[Phony Fish Request] Do you really think that you are so important that the local restaurants will respond to your fish question? If you want locally caught fish, you need to order the specials that are off the menu. To put an item on a printed menu, you need to know that you can get an adequate supply week after week. Try that with yellowtail, or cobia, or wahoo. You can do it with mahi and grouper because they are caught commercially all over the world, or with salmon, shrimp, or catfish because it’s farmed.

One poster weeks ago claimed that a local eatery was serving “fake” fish and his evidence was that he “knew his fish”. That’s ridiculous. Did he order grilled fish because he eats fried fish at home? How many beers did he have before dinner? Did the waiter/tress answer his question wrong or was it written on a menu?

There are State and Federal agencies who deal with these things. If you believe that an eatery is scamming you, call them. But you’d better be able to back up the claim that you “know fish”. 

A real man’s bar.

[Term Limits]  Everyone interested in Term Limits being approved by the Mosquito Control Board – Please attend the bug board meeting this evening, Monday 8/19/13, at approx 5 PM at their office  503 107th Street (Gulf),  Marathon Airport.

Show your support for Term Limits for the bug board.

[“Baked Fries–Cut potatoes almost all the way through, drizzle olive oil, butter, some sea salt, and pepper over top and bake at 425° for 40 minutes.”] I made those sliced potatoes last night, but I cooked them an hour instead of the 40 minutes in the recipe. I also sprinkled garlic powder on them. They weren’t crispy, but they sure were tasty.

[Official Fantasy Fest Website] Start thinking about getting your party on! Link

Censorship by country. Link

Song of India absorbs dangerous chemicals and looks good while doing it. Link

[Druckemiller said. “I knew then and now that what I did was illegal and wrong.”] Yeah, but Gastesi, his children, nor the CENSORED that works with him know (or care about) right from wrong. They knowingly benefited from the illegal doings of Druckemiller and received no penalty for doing so.

For what it’s worth, no one named in this chapter of Monroe County history will ever work for my Keys companies; especially the Gastesi children.

It’s apparent they’ve been raised in an household where doing the right thing is not as important as getting freebies at any cost to anyone else but themselves. Let’s hope they don’t move on to bigger crimes knowing Daddy will get them off.

Next Up: The Marathon “hit”, let’s see what climbs out of that pool of shit. ~trigcombs@hotmail.com

Keys watercar.

Here’s a spoiler alert for the Pet Peeve guy. For the Magic Markers, it’s just ink[?]. Go figure.

[Freedom] Two TV networks are planning profiles of Hillary Clinton and that had angered the normally angry GOP. In retaliation the GOP will block CNN and NBC from hosting GOP presidential primary debates. They only want Republican candidates interviewed. And they wonder why no one likes them

[NSA] Are they protecting us or do we need protection from them as they continue to shred the Constitution. I suspect the Right only supports the 2d Amendment and doesn’t really care if the rest of it is abused.

Mary Ratliff, wrote: “The activities at the Missouri State Fair”. Hey Mary, turn in your Green Card, your Welfare Card and Food Stamp Books, then shut that big mouth of your. Better idea, go get a real job.

What is the Republican plan for the millions of Americans who are not entrepreneurs,  who didn’t inherit money or property, who don’t have health insurance,  who can’t work, or who can’t find a job because the kind of work they are capable of is being rapidly eliminated by technology that is ending the need for human labor?  Talk to me, Goose!

1. Can climate models explain the recent stagnation in global warming? Link

2. No background checks for Obamacare. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi argued late Friday that new hires under Obamacare could threaten the private information of people trying to get health insurance.

“Because of time constraints, HHS is cutting back on the requirement to become a navigator, meaning they’re not going to be doing background checks. They’re not going to be fingerprinting these people,” said Bondi.

“And it’s more than navigators. It’s people that assist the navigators. Now, these navigators will have our consumers throughout the country’s most personal and private information — tax return information, Social Security information. And our biggest fear, of course, is identity theft.”

What could possibly go wrong? You really gotta love socialism!

3. CDC Study Ordered by Obama Contradicts White House Anti-gun Narrative. The study found among other facts counter to the cult left orthodoxy:

“Defensive uses of guns by crime victims is a common occurrence, although the exact number remains disputed. Almost all national survey estimates indicate that defensive gun uses by victims are at least as common as offensive uses by criminals, with estimates of annual uses ranging from about 500,000 to more than 3 million per year, in the context of about 300,000 violent crimes involving firearms in 2008.”

It was also discovered that when guns are used in self-defense the victims consistently have lower injury rates than those who are unarmed, even compared with those who used other forms of self-defense.

A little different take (religous) on Trayvon. Video