Father's Day Weekend

Tues. June 17, 9:20 pm. Father's Day weekend was a joyous one with Rebekah and Greg and the kids. Sat. am was Baby naming for Shoshana Eve. Friday night Shabbot dinner was with Greg's family from DC, Calif., Silver Spring, Baltimore etc. Great family fun. Sunday we visited their new house, on which they closed Monday. A very exciting step.

We're now back in Maplewood building Carol's garden. Got some new bushes last week and are trying them out in different locations. Monday was at MSK to see Dr. Berman. All numbers are good. Next apptmnt. in 6 weeks ( I tried for 3 months, she said not yet). Enjoyed seeing my nurses again. A consult as well with the nutritionist. Lunch with Jon F. Today tbone 4 rehearsal; got a concert tomorrow night.
Last week we got to the Monmouth Museum at Brookdale College in Lincroft to see Jeff's Mom's art work. Very fine show. Had a good time. Man, are we enjoying daytrips. There are so many interesting places to go here. We really enjoyed a day with Jane and BJ at the Shore. Heard from Arlene and Richard up in Woodstock; they've done some work on the house for us. Great to have some help since we haven't been able to get up there much recently.

Big news this week is a visit by the Grands. Greg will drive Maayan and Ben up here Thursday. That night we go to Broadway for Mary Poppins. Then we hope to take the kids, depending on weather etc., to Woodstock and/or the shore. Even if we hangout here we'll have a ball. We'll see Carol's family at TJ's graduation party Sat. night. Ben's using Power Point and both kids love making pictures on the Mac.
Saw Lance Armstrong on Charlie Rose while having a new cap put in at Dr. Pollacks. We're thinking alot about Cancer, healing, dealing, etc. This is such a big area of concern in our lives. My hopes and prayers go out to all our friends. We stood for healing prayers at shul Sat. am. Peace. Enjoy this beautiful Spring. JIMBO

Rock and Run Day

Sun. June 8, 2008.(That's Carol in the Rhinebeck BnB) We got to Woodstock over Memorial Day. All is ok there.
Today is MSK Rock and Run (5K) on Pier 46, on the Hudson, NYC. BUT...there is a heat wave here. So, I reluctantly have chosen to stay home in the air conditioning. I don't feel I need to put my body through the heat wave. Carol and I visited Jane and BJ at the shore house. It was cool there on the beach. Noticeable temperature drop as you cross the bay . I wore a long sleeve shirt on the beach, and would have put up a hood had I worn one. It was cool and breezy. Here in Maplewood it was about 95 degrees. Same tomorrow, so I'll stay in Thank You. Looking forward to seeing the Army buddies I missed last summer when I was forced back into the hospital. We'll gather for lunch at the beach Monday. (No Big Band in Paterson Monday for me this week). Tonight we are rehearsing the JJ Blues Band for MapleWoodstock (Sat/Sun July 12/13; we perform Sat at 7 pm). Sat in on bass Friday night at the old North End Tavern where Dad and Howie used to chug a beer. New owner, made room for bands etc. Had a good time seeing friends etc. Am enjoying coaching some adult friends in music etc. Am also enjoying time to listen to new music here at home. Meantime Carol, always a nurturer, is nurturing a new Cottage Garden in the backyard. The trees/bushes are verdant, and the songbirds are prolific in every way. Charming songs. Once the garden is in we'll see butterflies and hummingbirds. Wonderful.
We had a nice ride up to Westchester County Friday to pickup my bass, so stopped to see LuAnn and Geoff. Nice quick visit. We plan to meet again soon for a trip to the Brookdale Museum in Lincroft to see Geoff's Mom's paintings. Last week we attended Studio Artists Tour here in Maplewood. 50 artists on board. It was a beautiful scene. Peter Max came by to checkout one of our galleries on Springfield Ave. on Saturday. He may start showing there. B.John sold a piece Sunday. Then about 2 weeks ago we went to a Mansion House/Gardens Tour as a fundraiser for Morristown Hospital at Froh Heim. Very pleasant. Lotsa good garden ideas.
Next MSK visit/checkup is coming on June 16th. All things feel good. Energy etc. Stamina. Endurance improving. Diet is coming along. Walked a mile yesterday before it got hot. Will cool it today.
Lots of good graduation/engagement things in the family: Mazeltov to all: Elana, TJ, Randi, Travis and Julie, RJ and Martha, Rabbi Greg and Rebekah and Shoshana Eve, Maayan Shira Harris.
Also prayers and support needed for Joan Harris, Bud and family. Joan will see an MSK doc on Monday for advice. Our prayers and heartfelt thoughts are with her. And to our musicians families here in Maplewood..prayers and thoughts of healing.
Love and Peace and Thanks. JIMBO