John, I must admit that there are times when I miss the helter-skelter schedule that I kept up for so many years. Today, I will be performing at an upscale retirement community at their happy hour. I will perform there once a month until mid April, then I'm putting the sails up on the boat and sailing to Saint Somewhere. I figure on making several extended trips around the mid Atlantic region, stopping when and where I feel like stopping, coming back home when the urge hits me, catching crabs and fish for supper, visiting old friends that I have not seen in many years and smelling the roses before someone is placing them on my casket.

Unfortunately, my wife's bad knees make sailing a daunting task, but I intend to make modifications on the boat to accommodate her problems. I have already installed a complete 3,500-watt DC/AC inverter system so she can use her C-pap machine, a gangway to make getting to and from the pier easier, an entrance gate through the stern rail, and this winter I hope to modify the cabin stairway by making it adjust outward and add hand rails. I might also look into an lift/elevator to replace the stairs, something similar to a handicap lift for a van. I also modified the dinette so that it converts into a queen-size bed with an air mattress.

My health is still shot to Hell, and not likely to improve. My back is in constant pain, I have to wear a back brace most of the time, and sometimes use a cane to walk. My lungs are slowly, but surely getting worse because of the asbestos exposure when I was young, and my digestive tract is still recovering from the effects of C-diff.

Yesterday, I visited some of the senior locations I regularly performed at before I get sick. I made a Christmas CD to give away to friends and relatives and decided to give one to some of the staffers that I've known for many years. They all wanted me to come back and play for the residents again, but I had to turn them down, at least for now. As much as I would love to return to performing, I know that under my current circumstances it's just not possible. Consequently, I only perform once or twice a month, which is a huge contrast to once or twice a day, which was my schedule before I had to retire.

So, when I sail down the ICW next fall, maybe we can get together and jam for a couple hours as I sail through West Palm. I would be nice to meet you in person, and also pick up Eddie Shoemaker along the way when I get to Stuart. From there, I'll sail down to Miami, spend a day anchored up at Marine Stadium, then head south to Boot Key Harbor in Marathon Key, where I'll spend much of the winter. On that trip I also hope to sail to the Dry Tortugas, then back to Rodrigez Key and cross the stream to the Bahamas before heading home again.

Thanks for asking, John,

Gary