A OK

Thurs. Feb 25th, 2010. 2 pm. Yesterday we drove into the city. Dr. Berman says my numbers are all good. See ya in April Doc!! Then we visited the 12th floor to hug my nurse Catriona and our Social Worker (ie good friend) Donna. Just a brief visit, but so important. On our way home we swung by 48th street to pickup tix for "A View From The Bridge". EZ. By the time we got home we were exhausted. It always seems to be draining for us to make the trips to the hospital. I bet it's the emotions of it all more than the physical energy it takes. We read about Cancer research and successes and losses in the NY Times and in the MSKCC Newsletter. Very interesting stuff. My friend Diane Moser has shared on her blog several interesting articles, writings etc. etc. as well. I don't feel like thanking Cancer for enriching my life, that would be too weird for me, but I have to say it changed a few things for sure. I have a different perspective shall we say. I enjoy space. I guess my life is more intimately important at this stage. I do enjoy alot, I'm not dark. But I stay closer to myself now. Does that make any sense?? Oh well, I'm thinking on my feet here, rambling sort of. hah!! : ) That means I'll close out here and catch up soon again. Enjoy the beautiful snow. The time to listen, dream, think, smell, love, and meditate. PEACE. JIM

Woodstock in Winter

Fri., Feb 19th, 8 pm. Just got back from a quick trip up to the Woodstock House. NO SNOW. They have less than we have in Maplewood. That's a surprise. In any case, things still look refreshingly beautiful, especially the Reservoir. Had a good meal at Joshuas. Now for 3 rehearsals tomorrow and more interesting music stuff. Wed. over to MSK for a checkup. All feels ok. JIMBO

Happy Valentines Day

2/13/10 6:00 pm. Enjoy this winter weekend with your lover. We're enjoying beautiful snow; walking, watching the birds, photo shooting as well. Just came from a JJ Blues Band Rehearsal and I hope you can come hear us play March 6th at Hat City Kitchen in Orange, NJ. We play 10 pm and 12 midnight, but the music starts at 9 pm, and the dinners are great. Carol and I ate there last night. Here's a picture of the band at MapleWoodstock 2 years ago.
I continue to talk to dear friends calling about diagnoses. I remember the support from so many of you when I rec'd a diagnosis. It is so important to talk positively about healing. There are many opportunities to get well, and being positive certainly helps the entire process. My prayers and support go out to those in need.
And so I keep playing music to try to bring joy, positive energy, and glorious sounds to my friends and beyond.
Love to all this Valentine's Day. Peace and good health. JIMBO

HH New Year

Wed. Jan 20th, 4 pm. Happy and Healthy New Year guys. We had a great holiday season with the Grands. All of our numbers are good. Then off to Captiva for a COLD week. Yikes, warmer that NJ for sure, but a different feel for Florida. On our way home we rec'd a tragic phone call that my sister in law Judy had passed away. She had dealt with diabetes all her life and things were getting very challenging in the past year. Indeed since the summer we had been very concerned. The memorial service was a very special, beautiful tribute. It is very difficult to get my head around this.
I'm working at cello/string 4 stuff. Blues Band as well. Fun. Sunday is Carol's Bday, and next Fri is Boo's Bday. Hope to go see her and the kids.
Fri. night.
It's been an awful week feeling the pain in Haiti. In addition to losing my sister in law we lost my friend Bob Ayers this week. 3 weeks ago I lost my buddy Steve Christen after another bout with AML. So, as you can imagine I'm very emotional listening to the powerful musical performances on "hopeforhaiti" tonight. But I keep truckin' to gigs and rehearsals doing what I can for the world with our music and work. I do love all these expressions of music. QXR. You Tubes. TV. DVDs. CDs. The power of a phrase in music. We're still at it. Yesterday am Trombone 4. Brass 5 and Blues Band tomorrow. Jazz Nonet in a Vets hospital today. Sunday am Symphony. Mon. am Big Band. etc. Using our voices best we can.

Good Numbers

Thurs. Dec. 24th, 2009. 10:30 am.(These Pics are of our Grandaughter Shoshana checking out a big snowstorm in Bethesda...over 20" of snow). Well our trip to MSKCC was interesting yesterday. EZ in and out of the city. Morning numbers were excellent and Dr. Berman is happy. "See you in 2 months!!" Then after a quick snack in the cafeteria and a quick trip to see Catriona on the 12th floor we taxied (too cold to walk it) over to the Whitney Museum to see some Georgia O'Keefe. We had been to the museum in her name in Santa Fe and little more than a year ago, and enjoyed the New Mexico landscapes. But saw some additional new stuff yesterday. Wonderful burger in the Cafe. Then taxi back to MSK for a checkup with Dr. Farooki (diabetes stuff). We corrected some injection numbers and discussed a few issues. Things are basically good, but I can still improve. So it goes. I'm off from rehearsals and gigs for about a month and am looking forward to working more with my hands and in an artistic way for a month. Today some doll house work and train table improvements. Over the weekend we'll get painting and drawing. Millie just came in to the room to remind me the birds need a feeding. We love to feed the birds.
Enjoy the winter weather. Stay healthy. Happy Holidays.

Snow

Sun. Dec 20, 11 am. Well the snow amounted to only about 8" or 10" here of light fluffy stuff. Boo and Greg have 20-24" in DC area. Enjoyed final night of Chanukah (and Shabbot) with all candles lit. Mildred loves it as well. Then early Sat. am up goes the Christmas tree and the train set. We love it. Enjoyed the snow fall while eating Gingerbread and Hot Chocolate, which is what my Mother gave to us when we came home from ice skating back in the 50s and 60s. Fun. Today after digging out we'll sleigh ride to Red Bank to hear a Messiah and see some former students. Looking forward to that. Facebook is allowing me to stay in touch with generations of former students. So cool. There goes the train whistle through the valley. At sundown the church bells will ring. You'd think I live in a greeting card. Well Maplewood does have romantic possibilities. Folks who get off the train from NYC can hardly believe what they are seeing as they walk down Maplewood Avenue. It's poetic. And if you walk only 1 block off Maplewood Ave. you see incredible beauty in the snow, from the Burgdorff CPA to the homes on Woodland, the Women's Club etc. Picture perfecto.
Been listening to the Vivaldi Mandolin Cti. Perfect upbeat music for the holidays. Joyous. Used to listen to a wonderful Nonesuch album of this stuff in the 60's. I used music for healing when in the hospital. I like to surround myself with music for inspiration, and/or mood stuff. I love it all. Bach cantatas and Mass, Gesualdo or Gabrieli, Keb Mo or John Scofield, Miles or Charles Lloyd, Bill Evans or Bill Charlap, Beethoven String Quartets or the Beatles. We love to play it all too. Guitars, cello, basses, brass etc. That's what is so great about a snowday, suddenly free time to play/practice/listen/read etc. Love it.
Hey...stay healthy. JIMBO

Chanukah

Fri. Dec 11, 2009. Happy Chanukah y'all. I'm playing in shul tonight but may not get to enjoy my Latkes until afterward. I saw Adam Sandlers Chanukah tune on You Tube this week; "marijuanica!!" et al. Funny stuff. In any case we finished our New Years card today and will get it out soon. Next week I'll start up the Christmas tree and trains. Fun. Can't wait to see the kids again on Christmas Day. They were amazing at Thanksgiving with their cousins.
Carol had her checkup at MSK yesterday and came through with flying colors. The Doctor loved the way everything looks. Great news. Next 2 weeks we'll have a checkup as well. Feeling good. Hope you all are healthy.
The music performances continue and the whole thing of keeping the brain and the body healthy and challenged and still growing is an issue we consider all the time. Interesting stuff. More pics from last summer/fall. Girls going to Martha's baby shower and the Woodstock back door. .Peace.