Happy New Year

Friday, December 29. 11:30 am. We're packing to take the Grands back to Bethesda. They came up Christmas Eve with their parents and we've had a great time. Maayan had a fever/virus for a few days. Rebekah took her to see Dr. Wes Boodish who was the first doctor to examine her at St. Barnabas after her birth (in 1970). Then from about 16 to about 18 or so Rebekah worked in Dr. Jack Schwartz's and Dr. Boodish's office. Funny turn of events. So, then Tuesday to Brenda and Rudys house. Good food, gifts exchange etc. Then Boo and Greg left for Bethesda, Mom and I took Ben back to Maplewood where Carol and Maayan were resting/recuperating. Wed. we went to the PaperMill Playhouse/NJ Ballet Nutcracker. Fun. Kids loved it. Got some ballet Mice and Soldiers to sign our programs. I went backstage and greeted the musicians. Most where surprised I was looking so good. A year ago they heard I was in trouble, but most hadn't seen me since then. I do look different with this new doo etc., but I look surprisingly healthy which surprised some of them. Good to see those guys. The SwingTown gig at Centanni was fun. We have a video and a CD of the gig, thanks to Chili. Mon. night we play at 1st Night at Columbia High. I also take a shot Monday and back to the hospital for a shot Wed. Thurs. Carol has a nother easy test, then Friday we're off to Florida for a week. Fly into Tampa to see Jane and Kim. Then off to Captiva. Hopefully we can catchup to a few others along the way. Have a great New Year. Happy and Healthy. JIMBO

Sunday Music

Wynton Marsalis's music, Romare Beardon's Images visit my afternoon here on 13. It's a messy cold afternoon. Rain on top of sleet and snow. Our clouds give way to sun, then darker clouds. A slushy afternoon. Jets challenge the Patriots. Favre tosses a few as well. I can't get out to rehearsals or concerts today. Prefer to stay home and rest. Yesterday played big band in Tenafly, then Brass 5 in Millburn. Exhausted myself. So slept early last night. Maybe we'll get out tomorrow. Shot in the am. Then to Paterson for big band. Hospital Wed. Wed night SwingTown at Centanni. That's enough for 1 week!! Gotta catchup on guitar soon again. There goes the sun. If it gets cold we'll be a slipping around. Can't wait to see the kids for Christmas. We're going to Nutcracker and Marionettes and maybe some ice skating with them. Great fun for our 43rd Anniversary. Got to hear Lee with the Funk Filharmonic at Winter Garden Friday. That would be a good trip for the kids. Train to Hoboken, Ferry to the city!! Hah! Beautiful. OK. So, we're still cookin'. Thanks again for all the support. Peace. JIM

Lotta Poking Around

Thurs. Dec 6th. Yeah, there was a lotta poking around (needles) in the hospital yesterday. 5 at least. 1st bloodwork was more than 15 vials of blood. All tolled, probably less than a pint which is what I used to give in the olden days. The phlebotomist wanted me to drink some OJ for sugar support. Then to the docs evaluation including the biopsy (#2 poke) which is fine (gotta phone call from Coco about an hour ago, I'm still fine in remission at 3%.). Then Suzanne, the Clinical trial nurse for a skin test (Poke #3) which is similar to a TB test we've all had. EZ. Then over to the Adult Hospital at Memorial Sloane Kettering for the vaccination, which is 2 more pokes. One EZ, one more challenging. Then you have to sit for 30 minutes to be sure you don't have any negative reaction to the injection. They take your vitals a couple of times. I was fine, no problemo.

So, that's over. Gotta go back tomorrow to have the skin test examined, but no pokes!!
My new Bass Trombone is a gas!! I even had a chance to use it in rehearsal last night with SwingTown. Getting ready for some gigs. I'm digging the cold weather. I should go for a walk. Have a great day. Speak to you soon. JIMBO

Holidays coming

Mon., Dec 3, 7:30 pm. (Here are pix of my adorable grandaughter Maayan and my electrifying Grandson Benjamin at Thanksgiving).
We're doing fine. Energy is returning. I said to Concert Band last week I had "normal" energy for rehearsal etc. Been playing alot. Last Friday went to Dillons and bought a used Bach 50B Bass Trombone. Nice sound. Traded in my Conn. Having fun. Played it (and tuba) in a brass 5 Saturday and a big band today. Tomorrow in the tbone quartet. Fun. Yesterday was rehearsal and performance on bass of Brahms violin concerto and Symphony #2. Difficult to play thru 2x in one day. Sent Chanukah presents to the kiddies today. Took my pre shot shot today. Wed. back to hospital for checkup, Bone Marrow Biopsy, and 4th Vaccination shot in the Clinical study. We're enjoying the cozy house in this cold spell. It's a relief to feel some cold.
Fri. night went with Metsch-Ampels to a play here in town. Dylan knows the actor (see, we got connections all over!!). Next week we're up to see Alan and Elaine and dig the John Faddis big band. Then Sunday to hear Mahler with Bud at MSC. So, we're getting to enjoy the arts around here. Need to hit some galleries in NYC soon. We've been too stuck in Jersey recently. But we'll get into town soon. The guitar playing is coming. Greg and the kids sent me some interesting You Tube videos for inspiration.
Well, enjoy the holiday season. Keep healthy. Sign up please to be a potential donor to someone somewhere. Save a life.
Thanks for your blood, platelets, and prayers. Love you all. JIMBO