AT LOUIE’S BACKYARD YESTERDAY AFTERNOON… Joined good friends, Marjorie Paul-Shook, Billy Cartledge and Jim Hall at Louie’s for Lunch…and it was the perfect day!  Breathtakingly beautiful…fun conversation….and delicious food!  A whole new menu with many amazing choices!  We are all so blessed aren’t we? WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR??? As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I would ask that you send me something that I can use in Thankful Thursday’s column this week.  Send to me at kwlynda@bellsouth.net.  Again, I ask you to Please not send it along with this blog.  I print everything that is sent to me, and when you do that, I end up printing my blog over and over and sometimes it is seven pages.  Think Green!  Thank you!   “PLACES, PLEASE…” CABARET SHOW AT TENNESSEE WILLIAMS 11/26…THIS IS A MUST SEE!!!! An exciting new troupe of entertainers called CABARET KEY WEST, will be performing their first of a series of shows on Friday, Nov. 26th at 8 PM at Tennessee Williams Cabaret Theatre.  It is presented by Michael McCabe, and a bevy of beauties….. Traci Reynolds, Laurie Breakwell, Gayla Morgan, and Amy Ray.  They are all wonderful!  What more can I say?  This evening will be a celebration of song and the human spirit that you should NOT miss!  Note that Cabaret Key West also includes Bobby Nesbitt, Bruce Moore and David Black, amongst others, and they will be presenting sensational shows throughout the year at various venues in town!  Let’s all support CABARET KEY WEST!!!!  Tix can be bought by going online to www.keystix.com or calling the box office at 295-7676.  Act NOW to get the best seats!   SCHOONER WHARF BAR…11/23… From Noon until 5 it’s Michael McCloud…It’s Gary Hempsey & Russ Scavelli performing from 7 to 11 PM….and Frank Everhart and his Magic is from 9:00 PM until 1:00 AM.   TERRI WHITE APPEARS IN THE CRYSTAL ROOM, 11/25… Broadway star and legend, Terri White, will be presenting her one woman show, LIVE FROM BROADWAY, at 9 PM in the Crystal Room at Ladeda, on Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 25.  Tickets are going quickly…It will be a great way to end Thanksgiving Day!  You can call 296-6706 for tix….Terri will be performing other shows in the Crystal Room on Dec. 2, 16, 22, 27, 29, and Jan. 1st!   LATEDA THIS WEEK…. 11/25…..Terri White at 9 PM in the Crystal room (read above)…downstairs, Nov. 25, 26, and 27, it’s Debra & Patrick in the By George Bar at 8:30 PM….and Randy Roberts LIVE sow will be on Nov. 26 and 27 at 9 PM in the Crystal Room…..   TO PRETZEL LOVERS EVERYWHERE… My friend, Jan Nelson has opened a new shop in town…called THE KEY WEST PRETZEL COMPANY…it is located on Lazy Way Lane, by the Conch Republic Seafood Co., and the Schooner Wharf….call 304-4192 for info.   FUNNY GAY MALES VARIETY SHOW AT RED BARN… …This show  will take place on Nov. 24, 26 and 27…at 8 PM…An evening of song and schtick…also back are local legendary entertainers, John Wells & Ben Harrison, who will perform with comics, Ron Maranian and Cathy Sembert.  At The Red Barn, 319 Duval St….call 296-9911 for tix.   FRANGIPANI GALLERY GRAND OPENING…11/26… Artist Fran Decker invites you to the grand opening of her lovely new Gallery on Fri., 11/26 from 6 to 9 PM….located at 1102 Duval St., it will present the wonderful pieces of William Welch, Lois Songer, Chris Black, Will Fernandez, Irene Stanton, and Jessica Wilson, amongst others, including Fran Decker!  Call 296-0440 for details   PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCE OF THE DAY…. Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars….but check when you say the paint is wet?   SALVATION ARMY NEEDS VOLUNTEERS….. ,,,to prepare Thanksgiving meals for the needy…looking for donations…volunteers needed for food prep, food assembly and delivery….Call Caroline Cotton at 923-8896 or 295-2822….or e-mail her at carolinekeyss@aol.com…. if you can help.  Monetary donations can be sent to Salvation Army, 1924 Flagler Ave., KW, 33040 (Note on check donation for Thanksgiving.)  You can drop off any donation even as small as a can of cranberry sauce, at the Salvation Army Thrift store on Flagler.   CAROL TEDESCO BOOK SIGNING…11/26…. Mel Fisher Treasures at 200 Greene St. (side entrance), will be hosting a reception and book signing for the newly published ‘Treasure Coins of the Nuestra Senorade Atocha and the Santa Margarita” by Carol Tedesco.  This will take place at 2:00 PM.  Then from 5 to7 PM at the MFT at 613 1/2 Duval St., artist Kate Peachy, whose art work appears in the book, will join Carol for another signing.  Kate says she is mixing up a rum punch for all to enjoy, too!   PUN OF THE DAY… I took the strange skeleton to be that of a feral onager…but it was only a wild ass guess.   APOCALYPTIC BUTTERFLIES…. This play presented by The People’s Theater of KW at Downstage, their new venue at 3340 N. Roosevelt Blvd., runs Thurs. thru Sat. at 8 PM, with a Sunday 2 PM matinee….each week until Dec. 19th.  Tix are $25.  Call 294-6813 for tix….or at the door.      PRAYER CHAIN… Please continue to pray for Jennifer O’Lear…Margie Randall…Doug Childs….Sr. Phyllis McMurray…Roger Harmon…Carol Schenck…Katherine Raney.  Richard Stephens thanks you for your prayers…has is doing well thanks to your kindness and good thoughts and prayers.   COSMO THE CAT BOOK SIGNING…. Meet the creator and illustrator, Sherry Sweet-Tewell, and Cosmo the Cat, too!!!!  They will be at a book signing at The Lighthouse Museum on Sat., 11/27 from 12 PM until 2 PM…AND, at the Custom House on Front St. on Sunday, 11/28 from Noon until 2 PM. This is the PURR-Fect Christmas gift for children of ALL ages.  The book also includes a CD.  You can order this book online at www.cosmotheboatcat.com.   THE MARC HOUSE IS SEEKING SPONSORS… …for the Dec. ReMARC able Table Top Christmas Tree Auction.  Trees cost $100 to sponsor.  Call 294-9526 ex. 25 by Friday, Nov. 26th.      CHINESE WEDDING BED TO BENEFIT STUDIOS OF KEY WEST & HS2 Perry Arnold and Rita Linder have donated an antique Chinese wedding bed from their personal collection, to be sold this winter.  Proceeds from the sale of this magnificent bed will be split between Home School High School and The Studios of Key West.  The bed has been assembled and will be on view in the main Hall of the Armory thru Dec. 2….at 600 White St.  It is ornate and beautifully carved.  You are all invited to view the bed during normal daily operating hours.  Details about the bed and sale are available by calling 509-0090.  This truly is a treasure..something most unique and amazing!   DID YOU KNOW???? There are no permanent rivers or lakes in Saudi Arabia.   THE COFFEE MILL DANCE STUDIO…. This studio operated by Penny Leto, has a zillion classes and activities going on!  If you want a complete list of these courses, etc. please e-mail Penny at coffemilldance@aol.com and request the list.   MEMORIAL QUILT RECEPTION…11/30… ….at Graffitti at 701 Duval St….Everyone is invited to attend a reception at this store the eve of World AIDS Day…from 7 to 9 PM.  The book, “Stronger” will be launched that night by the Monroe County Health Dept.  Free for all.   19TH ANNUAL TREE OF HOPE AT LATEDA…12/1… Mark your calendars…There will be a World AIDS Day service at the AIDS Memorial at the White Street Pier…..Following, will be the annual lighting of the Tree of Hope at 7 PM at Lateda, 1125 Duval St.  You will have a chance to buy angel bears to honor someone dear to you.  King Christopher Elwell & Queen Anne O’Shea will be the emcees.  This event benefits AIDS Help.   POPS YULETIDE FEAST….12/10… All are invited to attend this gala fundraiser for The Key West POPS Orchestra…..7 PM at 1207 Whitehead St…the lovely home of Bert Whitt and Dennis Beaver….Open Bar…entertainment by Debra & Patrick….20 course Italian Buffet Dinner…..only $50 per person…RSVP to 296-6059.  You will also have a chance to bid on a “Walk On” Role in the POPS Jan. 23rd production of “Leading Ladies of Broadway.”   QUESTION TO  PONDER… At a meal, your friends start belittling a common acquaintance.  If you felt their criticisms were unjustified, would you defend the person?   THE MESSIAH ON 11/28… …at 8 PM in the United Methodist Church at Simonton & Eaton Sts.  Up to 90 singers will be participating…this is a wonderful annual holiday event and all are invited.  If you want to sing in this, please contact Dean Walters at 745-1409.  Rehearsal is on Sun., 11/28 from 2 to 5 PM and then the performance at 8 that evening!   CHRISTINE CORDONE CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY..11/28… On Sun., 11/28, Christine Cordone will be the Showcase Singer at The Pier House…..and she will also be celebrating her birthday that night!  ALL are invited to attend…9 PM….She will be singing all songs about “Color”….in the Wine Galley with Larry Smith and Kathleen Peace.  Christine is a wonderful person and has an amazing voice….and we just do not see or hear her enough in Key West!   KEY WEST BURLESQUE HOLIDAY SHOW…11/30… This is the start of this super troupe’s 4th season and it will be a Down Home Holiday Ho-Down at Kelly’s Upstairs, 301 Whitehead St…..Opening night is Nov. 30…also will be presented Dec. 1 & 2 and Dec. 8, 9&10.  Join country legend, Uncle BRUCE MOORE as he will be singin’ up a storm at this Ho-ho-ho down!  Showtime is 9 PM….tix can be bought at www.keystix.com or by calling 619-2275.  Y’all come down now…..and see the most fetchin’ gals ‘n guys around…includin’ Tatah Dujour, Moana Amour, Cheeky Derriere, Rocky Bottom, Marquee Vonfister, Frenchie, Dali D’vine, and Mucho Macho, and hosted by Cowboy Marky Pierson.  I’m getting excited just reading those names!!!   Love to YOU….and Remember… Better to lose the anchor than to lose the whole ship!  The temptataion is always to fight to the bitter end.  But sometimes it’s wiser to take the longer view.  When a situation is irreparable, or the circumstances have changed dramatically, it may be better to cut your losses.  Acknowledge the mistake.  Learn the lesson.  Salvage the position.  Now is the time to Live to fight another day! Lynda