I am again writing this from Sarasota, Florida,  where the temperature is 62f and it is teaming rain, (just like Ireland)  It is not supposed to be like this,  but we have had wonderful weather here up to now.   I should not be complaining.   We even had Tornado Warnings two days ago.

To continue my USA adventure,  I stayed with my dear friends Kate Mc Donald and her husband Michael near Albany, New York and then headed for the BIG APPLE to meet my buddy Brendan (Stoney) Wall at JFK.   We stayed in New York for a couple of nights, (actually New Jersey) and met with Dave,  Dave, Liz and Doreen to work out details for a tour in 2010.  All went really well and I am really looking forward to this one.   These guys have an amazing appetite for playing music,  so this should be a great tour.

Brendan and myself then headed for Kerhonkson, New York for the NERFA convention.   This was a wonderful experience.   I met so many friends,  it was like being back in Ireland.   Brendan was really impressed though, ha, ha.   I met the following:-   (I do hope I think of everybody)

Reba Heyman,  Scott/Paula/Andy Moore,  Kevin/Lolly Bennett,  Maryl Neff, (who arrived with Enchanted Way Tours on her name badge) Karen Oliver,  Drew Nelson,  Michael Bowers, Siobhan Quinn,  Cheryl/Steve Kagan,  Sherry/Steven Panzer,  Melanie Shaffner,  Sue Shawn, Carolyn Pepler,  Alan/Judith Sherman,  Russ Tadeo and last but not least Karl Bissex and his wife Mary.

I heard some great music and I must mention a song that Karl Bissex wrote, (his first song) about his trip with us to Ireland.   I was really impressed with 3 artists in particular.   The first was Joe Crookston,  he sang one truly great song called GOOD LUCK,  BAD LUCK.   KC Clifford was also wonderful.   My favourite song of the whole weekend was a song called WHISKEY,  written and performed by RJ Cowdery.   She was really great.   If you read of her or any of the others performing near you,  I would advise you to check them out.   It was a really fantastic week-end.

Then the long drive back to Sarasota and of course the renewal of my love affair with the SUN.   It was really nice and last week.  I headed down to Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral to see the shuttle return.   It was a wonderful experience.   I was so impressed with everything about NASA.   I spent a great day at Kennedy Space Centre also.   I do hope some day to bring my Grandson there as he is so interested in the space programme.

I was hoping to get to Colorado to join up with Johnsmith but to my great disapointment,  some things happened in Sarasota that I had to attend to.   I will be leaving on Monday to go to Texas to do a mini-tour with Butch Morgan and I will be meeting with Vicki Belanowski to firm up John Spillane’s schedule,  so it is still a busy time for me.

I must also at this stage thank Jan Buncic and Jean Hewitt for hosting me here in Sarasota.   I would not have been able to do this trip without them.   Jean especially,  also keeps me busy on my days off.   She is known as MS FLORIDA FOLK and I can see why.  Jan has also shown me the way to the beach.   The beaches here are wonderful, especially Siesta and Lido.   I have actually got to finish this blog soon and I have been ordered to go to a concert near Tampa.  I do not know who is playing,  but I am sure it will be  good.

Time has really flown by since I have got over here.  I will be returning home for Christmas on December 22.   I will be spending Christmas Day with my son and his family and will be going to Switzerland to see my daughter and her family and I am looking forward so much to doing both.

I do hope I will have time to write before Christmas,  but just in case,  I wish everybody a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS