Change of Scene
by John F "Jack" Mann
During summer and autumn of 2009, my adventurous wife Karen and I sailed inland from our perch on the Shark River in Avon By The Sea NJ to chase birdies on the greens of Monmouth County and beyond.
(Above) Karen ready to swing on the first tee at Bel Aire Golf Course, with transformer-like "Robo-cart" at her service. Fall 2009.
(Left) Fourth of July 2009. John F "Jack" Mann trying to keep from being capsized by rising tide of motor-powered craft heading out to sea along the Shark River inlet. Photo taken by Karen who had been navigating.
After three years down the shore, riding out Nor'easters and enjoying the wild~life on the Irish Riviera (Avon By The Sea), w e boarded the wagon train to higher ground in December, moving to Princeton (Goin' Back, Goin' Back....).
For this writer, watching the daily parade of boats on our sunny deck was a relaxing part of recovery from a mind blowing heart attack in July of 2007. Long walks along the boardwalk were also part of the routine. Yet we like to mix it up, so a change of scenery is the new prescription.
I continue to draw design plans on the oak drafting table in front of the large sun-filled window at my office in Belmar. Since 1993 I have been operating a consulting engineering practice (structural engineering) at various locations throughout the Garden State after a long ride on the railroad (Conrail; design & construction) in Philadelphia.
Karen, NYC gal turned Jersey Girl, has recently taken on yet another "assignment" in the land of Big Pharma. As of early 2010, Karen has moved to a project at Novartis, through IT consulting firm Cognizant. Since reinventing her career (as IT specialist) early in this new century, Karen has managed to become a star in the pharma universe, with assignments from Johnson & Johnson to IM Clone to Merck.
February 2010
Views from snowstorms this winter in Princeton.
North woods of Princeton.
JFM, who has not waded through this much snow in New Jersey since 1996, and before that, 1978.
April 2010
Nassau Hall (built 1756) at Princeton University. For several months in 1783, Nassau Hall served as capitol of the United States.
Note Karen (bottom right) admiring the ivy.
This view has been used for a new stamp.
October 2010
The shore scene drew us back from the ivy league ;-)
We are now "settled" in Belmar, about two blocks from the beach.
September 2011
Moved again!.....north........about 1/2 mile, back to Avon By The Sea, though this time much closer to the action...........not only can we once again watch boats on the Shark River, but also trains on North Jersey Coast Line, as well as the drawbridge for Main Street.
April 2012
This reporter.......JFM.......now running on 100-percent battery power......via new pacemaker / defibrillator........amazing! Last October also "collected" stent number 4.
Walked (fast!) in 12 5k races during remainder of 2012.
Moved yet again!..........to Fairway Mews in Spring Lake Heights, NJ.........between 2nd green and 3rd tee of par 60 golf course. Just several weeks before Hurricane Sandy, which flooded garage of former condo in Avon By The Sea.
October 2017
JFM update...........after 5-1/2 years, new pacemaker / defibrillator "installed" by Dr Koo to replace original. Now with 6 stents as well.
Just started third "wrap around" season with Golf Channel AM Tour in Senior Sarazen division. This past September, played for third time in Senior Nationals, this time at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, California...........four round tournament, with each round on different course. Total of 345 was good enough for T24 out of 145 players who finished in that flight.
