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

A porch for Mom

Wed. July 15. 10 am. We're adding a small porch with sliding double doors into the backyard so Mom has both a screened in porch or a deck to sit on/in without negotiating the stairs. This will make life more comfortable for her. We dealt with bugs, screened in tents etc.in the backyard years ago but things have progressed shall we say. She had a little dental surgery yesterday for some new teeth. She feels better today. Carol is doing great, keeping busy doing stuff at the libraries. Tomorrow is our annual Outdoor Movie in the Park; Sunday will be SummerMusic with the Concert Band and SwingTown. Monday is Big Band rehearsal, I'll finally go back. Haven't been there since I wound up in the hospital. Wed. back for bloodtests and checkup at MSKCC. I'm doing fine. Gotta still call Spine Doc and get to PT. Enjoying some fine performances on You Tube and DVDs here at home. Slight cough now and again, but sitting in the garden will fix that up. Glorious Sun here now.
Stay healthy. JIMBO

Back home

Thursday, July 9. 6:30 am. I was released Tues. afternoon. I'm weak but ok. On anti biotics of course. So, it's time to sit in the garden, read a book. Take a 1/2 block walk etc. Did DVDs again of fine music. I got out last night to hear SwingTown at the Farmers Market in SO. Then dinner at the Village Diner. Then Yankees baseball. Didn't make it to the end of the game. Passed out early. I'll go listen to some MapleWoodstock on Sat/Sun. Thanks to all for your Facebook notes of encouragement and good health. I made sure I called the kids when I was feeling better, I probably frightened them a bit when I spoke to them earlier in the week. I was pretty messed up. Had 2 interesting encounters last day. As the Docs came in I was wearing my Maplewood Recreation Baseball cap. Head Doc asks "you from Maplewood Mr. B??" Yeah Doc, the Cultural Dude, I responded. He tells me he lives on Durand Road (fine historic homes) and then a Resident speaks up "I grew up on Durand Road, I graduated CHS as well". Then a visitor arrives from Recreation on the 15th floor. She sits to converse and visit. Very nice young woman. As it turns out, her Aunt from California went to school with me from Elementary School through CHS!!! What fun. We've since said hello over Facebook. Too cool. I love meeting/re meeting folks from the past. That's what is so cool about Facebook. I'm hearing from friends/students from 30, 40 , 50 years ago. Too much.
OK, keep healthy everybody. Thanks for your support. Back to the woodshedding on the basses. JIMBO