Here Come's Swifty!

This is a picture featuring Daddy and My Mother (best known as "Mommy") at the Key West Dog Track on Stock Island.  I would guess the picture was taken in the early 60's?  Oh how Daddy loved to gamble.  He would go to that track every night, saying "It's the only game in town".   I actually remember him telling stories about the track getting so run down, that one of the dogs actually caught "Swifty" the fake rabbit that was run around the track on a stick mechanically. In later years, I believe they actually called the dog "Conchy" for at time.  In fact, he spent so much time there through the years he had his own parking spot, with a sign in big letters that said "Parking for Capt Tony Only".  And the spot was actually one spot closer to the entrance than the handicap spot!

This picture was taken on one of his many trips on the gambling ship in Key Largo. Athough this picture was taken in front of the slots, he was primarily a blackjack player.  He would drive up with someone in the  family, heck sometimes all of us would go. It always involved dinner somewhere afterwards at different restaurants in the Keys.  Lots of family love, with lots and lots of laughter. And of course each and every waitress fell in love with Daddy everywhere we went  As it got older it got a little harder for him to travel,  As my stepmom Marty said when she gave me this pic..."He just looks so happy to finally be there", To be gambling again.......

This is a picture of me and my daughters, sometimes we took ALL the kids when the boat was based in Key West, Hey they have to learn sometime, right? Daddy was actually "The Host" on the Sun Kruz for awhile...He used to say it was the best job in the world, on a boat, meeting and greeting people, and getting to play.   But my very favorite times were when it was just me and Daddy.  Hey always paid for ALL of my betting, no matter where we were, Horse Track, Casino, Dog Track or Jai Alai, and if I won I got to keep the money....but to me I ALWAYS won, because I was with Daddy. His #1 piece of advice when it came to gambling?  If you break even you've won... 

Smiles,
XO
Toni