MONDAY – February 28, 2011

Good morning.  Here is a picture in Punta Cana where they were shooting an ad for a swimsuit commercial.  I’m a little late this morning because I was cooking dinner and had to cut everything up before I put it in the crock pot.  When I say everything I mean everything including my finger which I almost took off at the tip.  Other than that, I am feeling fretty good.  It is raining on and off here but seems to be much warmer.  At least that is a good sign.  Have a great day and stay dry.       Mike

FRIDAY – February 25, 2011

Good morning.  This is what our marina looks like when it is empty during the winter.  The only boats that are in here for the winter are big boats that want to stay in the water for winter storage.  This afternoon should be interesting because we are expected to get a lot of rain with 30-50 mph winds.  It is also supposed to have gusts up to 60 mph.  It should be interesting to see how the marina handles this.  I am feeling fine and was up again by 6:00 AM.  I feel energetic and ready to go.  My brother just called me and is driving up from North Carolina and he said that the trees have buds on them already.  Have a  great weekend and let’s hope that some of that nice weather down south comes up here so that we can also have a long spring.              Mike

THURSDAY – February 24, 2011

Good morning.  This is a picture of a waterfall in Hawaii that I took while riding in a helicopter a few years ago.  This is the same waterfall that they used in the movie, “Jurassic Park”.  This was the opening scene when the helicopter landed at the base of the waterfall.  Before we saw this, we all had earphones on and the pilot coreographed different musical themes from different movies.  Then all of a sudden we came over this mountain and the pilot told us about the waterfall scene.  As we came over the top of the mountain, he played the theme from Jurassic Park and zoomed right to the bottom of the waterfalls.  I had a chill go down my back.  It was so cool.  I’m feeling fine and have been up since 6:30 AM.  I have some things to do so I had better get in gear.          Mike

WEDNESDAY – February 23, 2011

Good morning.  Here I am sitting with some of my friends just before a Rose Bowl football game in January a few years ago.  Notice the short sleeves in January.  I got a phone call from my son last night and he will be starting to build his house that he designed beginning tomorrow.  He was really excited.  I am very excited for him.  This is his dream.  I am feeling fine.  I have a few errands  to run and then I will be free for the day.  Enjoy this beautiful day because it will probably be raining tomorrow.           Mike

TUESDAY – February 22, 2011

Good morning.  Three years ago, today, I was entering this hotel to begin my stem cell transplant.  I stayed in this hotel on and off for three months.  When I wasn’t in this hotel, I was in the hospital.  I feel really proud of myself because yesterday I did something that I never thought I’d be able to do again.  One of my eyes on my fishing pole was broken and had to be replaced.  So I sat at my rod building table in the basement for the first time in 10 years and for the entire day rebuilt my fishing rod.  The dexterity in my fingers was fantastic.  When I was done at the end of the day I really felt super.  This was something that I never thought I’d be able to do again…..but I DID IT.  Have a great day because..”Life is Good”.               Mike

MONDAY – February 21, 2011

Good morning.  These three munchkins came to see me yesterday.  I really had a good time with them.  They are so funny and they are both pretty good on the computer.  They play these educational games and are good at it.  I am feeling very good considering this weather.  One day it is almost 70 and the next day it is in the 30′s.  This past week we had a seal down on one of our docks.  He usually comes every year and stays for a while and then goes away.  This year he has been here for about 2 weeks.  Because of the weather today, I think I will just stay inside and repair one of my fishing poles (guides) and work on my fishing tackle.  Enjoy your day.           Mike

FRIDAY – February 18, 2011

Good afternoon.  I was really tired today.  I went to bed at 10:00 and got up at 10:00 AM.  I just feel sluggish.  I slept like a rock.  And now that it is 1:00 PM, I’m ready to get moving.  It is absolutely beautiful outside.  Boy do I need days like this.  What great weather.  Yesterday I was appointed as Chairman of the Port Authority of Perth Amboy.  I feel real honored eventhough I’ve turned this position down for the past seven years.  I’m just hoping to make a difference down there and improve the marina.  I feel good but my right leg is really givi ng me trouble.  Enjoy your weekend and I will see you next week.        Mike

THURSDAY – February 17, 2011

Good morning.  This is a picture of my sister’s sailboat which she and her husband sailed from Massachusetts to Annapolis.  She called me yesterday and she is in the Bahamas.  She said that it was great down there.  I was waiting for her to say come on down because I would have moved so fast that you would not get my front door opened fast enough.  However, you can see that I’m still here which means that she never said “come on down”.  Oh well I guess NJ just has to put up with me.  I am feeling fine.  I was up at 5:45 AM and could not fall asleep so I went downstairs and made myself some breakfast.  I have a busy day today starting with a doctor’s appointment, then a Port Authority meeting, and finally getting together with the teachers from the school where I was a principal for dinner.  I hope that you enjoy your day.        Mike

WEDNESDAY – February 16, 2011

Good day.  Here is a picture of Kaya and Kira making pretzels this past weekend.  They love to cook and help out.  I feel good but am really tired today.  I just feel very sluggish.  Otherwise, everything is fine.  I think I am going to go and take a nap.  Have a great day.           Mike

TUESDAY – February 15, 2011

Good morning.  They caught me sleeping with my daughter’s dog, “BUJU”.  He loves to curl up next to me.  He is just a very lovable dog.  It got a little cool again today but at least the sun is shining.  Tomorrow it is supposed to be very nice.  I am feeling very good and trying to keep busy indoors.  Recently I have been getting my fishing reels serviced and new line put on and here at home I’m re-doing my fishing poles and tying new leaders for trolling.  My son called last night and he is going to start building his house in Dominica.  This will be just a small cabin which he will use as a guest house later after he builds his dream house.  Everything that he planted last year is now farmable and is providing him his basic foods.  He is also building a brick oven which will be used for baking and cooking pizza.  Enjoy your day and keep warm.       Mike