Recent Photos

Last summer in Woodstock, Carol on a bicycle tour break; The Woodstock Bedroom

Post Thanksgiving

Dec. 3rd, 11 am. Hope you all are well. We're doing fine. Carol cooked for 27 people and did a fine job. When I was sick in the hospital in November 2006 Pete from the diner sent in a pumpkin pie.....he still gives me one every year..and gave another to my son in law last Sunday as the kids left for home. Pete and Fifi run a good diner here in Maplewood.
So. Facebook and the internet continue uncovering friends and students from the past. Great fun. This week a musician I haven't heard from in 50 years, found. 1 new diagnosis, my buddy Steve from college is dealing with Chemo for AML (same as my disease...but remember each case is unique). I've been visiting him and phoning him and he seems to be dealing. I go for checkups, and Carol as well, in 2 weeks. So far so good.
Been playing up a storm. Jazz, Symphony, Big Bands, Brass Quintet recital, string quartet rehearsal (cello), and trombone quartet today. Tonight a little holiday music for the Vets in the hospital in East Orange. All enjoyable.
Greg brought to me a new 32" flat screen on Black Friday. Amazing. Hooked it up to my fine sound system and am digging fine stuff. HBOs 25th Anniversary RnR Hall of Fame concert; Orff's Carmina Burana with Ozawa; Chris Botti on PBS, etc. etc. I also have a nice collection of music DVDs I love. I shared the Bach box with Lori and Ty this week. Fun.
Went up to the Woodstock, NY house Monday just to see the place and enjoy the ride. It was cold, but enjoyable. Carol and I had enjoyed Rehoboth Beach last month, and have already booked a week on Captiva, FL for January. Can't wait. But, of course we still hope for some snow. We like some of it. The ice I can do without. Carol took the Grandchildren ice skating at the Arena last week. I wish we still could skate outdoors here in Maplewood but it no longers gets cold enough for a long enough period of time. I think they have given up even flooding the parks anymore. Different era. Enjoy the holidays. Time to put up the tree and trains and have us some fun. JIMBO

Beautiful Fall

Mon. 10/26/09 9:30 pm. Wasn't yesterday amazing? Here in Jersey the leaves are peaking. We went to the Reeves Reed Arboretum yesterday for a beautiful walk on the trails, around childrens activities, and into the new gallery. Wonderful. The homes in Short Hills and Summit look great in the Fall foliage. Played in shul Friday night, then Saturday with the SwingTown Big Band for over 300 folks at a Rotary dinner at Skylands. Fun. This morning at the Paterson Musicians Union on trombone, tomorrow same place on bass. Then to Carol's library to play tuba for her kiddies reading storytime. Hah!!
Wed. we're off to get a checkup with Dr. Berman at Memorial Sloan Kettering. We should be ok. On Thursday we'll go to the NJ Symphony concert at NJPAC. Fri. up to Woodstock to meet the gas man; they are putting in a space heater for the cabin.
Looking forward to go to Bethesda in early November to see the Grands. Keep healthy. Enjoy the beauty.

A Gig

Jazz and Blues Thursdays
With Jim Buchanan and friends
7-9 pm Thursday OCTOBER 1ST, 2009 (Call for reservations)
featuring Martin Leys, guitar; Lee Finkelstein, drums; and special guests.

Churrasco BBQ and Steak House
1844 Springfield Avenue,
Maplewood, NJ 07040…..973-761-7744

MSK Followup

Sept. 16th; 1:45 pm. Carol and I went into MSK this morning for a followup checkup and blood test at Dr. Berman's office. My numbers are good, I go back again in 6-8 weeks. And I can get the flu shots. So, as they become available I'll get to it.
Naturally we're very happy about all this. A good thing to celebrate during the New Year. L'Shonah Tovah friends and relatives. We go to Bethesda Friday for the weekend. Can't wait to see the kids again. Rabbi Greg has prepared his speeches I'm sure but he also ran in a race last weekend. Too much, he's dedicated. Riv is being prepped for a change at work with additional responsibilities. She'll prepare a big meal for after services Friday evening. Carol will help out.
So, we enjoyed a few days in Woodstock 2 weeks ago but I hurt my back again while sawing down some trees with the chainsaw. Ouch. So playing bass and walking seems to irritate the inflammation. It's slowly coming around.
We're starting to play again with our regular bands, and have added an occasional gig at Churrasco's in Maplewood. Next time is Oct. 1st, 7-9.
Enjoy the beautiful Fall. JIMBO

The Grands visit

6:45 pm Aug. 27th, 2009. The Grandchildren left for home today around 3 pm after 5 glorious days of fun. We always get to Joes for Pizza as they arrive (Sunday eve). Monday a day at the beach (Seaside Park with Jane) was amazing. The waves from Bill were exciting. Then Tuesday we got to the Maplewood Pool so the parents could enjoy a date in NYC. We played at home with the wagon, the new dollhouse Grandpa built, a trumpet, violin, keyboard and drums. Carol called it Gramps Trio!! Then Wednesday more around the backyard, jumping through the sprinkler and playing Bocci ball, until 5:00 pm we left for Yankee Stadium. Beautiful night in the park, especially since we beat the Rangers. Late night fun. Today we went shopping for back to school supplies and then a final lunch at the Diner. Shoshana is really getting around and showing her personality. A joy. We can't wait to see them again at Rosh Hoshanah.

August

August 5, 2009. I'm sitting on that almost finished porch/deck while writing. Carol and I had a nice wet week in Woodstock. Went to see Ralph and Michelle in the Adirondacks on a beautiful Sunny Saturday; swim in the pool, eat a fine meal, long boat ride on the lake , and an ice cream social, at which we won a prize. Hah!! Then we caught up with Elaine for 2 days and 2 meals. Heard a marvelous Piano Trio concert at Maverick including Beethoven's Archduke, a Bartok Violin/piano Suite, and Brahms C Major. A very athletic program.
The big item this week is Travis and Julie's wedding (my nephew and soon to be niece) down the shore. Rebekah and Lori will be here for the wedding. Carol and I will go Friday for a steamboat ride out of Brielle. Very cool. We'll see all the Garthwaite relatives and many Buchanan's as well. I was trying to provide music for this wedding as well when I got sick and had to bail out. Speaking of music we're beginning a Thursday night Jazz and Blues night here in Maplewood at Churrasco (used to be Kleest's and Baumert's Ice Cream parlors when we were kids) with Jim Buchanan and friends (see calendar). Carol is doing fine. She'll go for a checkup in September. I heard from my CHS classmates and they are planning our 50th reunion. Can't wait. It'll be a party!!! It's beginning to rain again out here on the deck, so I'll signoff for now. I hope Randi and Glenn are having a wonderful vacation on the Cape. Love, peace and Health!! JIMBO