I'm back and here's a couple of pix of the trip.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
34,096
Had a great visit. Dad was stronger and more talkative. Does AM exercise and then goes out and works in the garden before it gets too hot. Appetite good and he's gained 3 or 4 pounds. Takes a sleeping pill but then sleeps 8 or 9 hours. Smoking , drinking coffee and swearing but prays every night and has strong faith. He may make it to 100. I am very, very thankful he's made a comeback and immensely happy. We already are making plans for next trip. I'm going to drive him over to SEKS so we can visit old homesites, worksites, and Mom's grave. I am looking forward to it.

I took a couple of pix which I thought might be of some interest.


billandfrank.JPG


Dad and me. He's sitting in "Mom's chair."

guitars1.JPG


Some of the guitars Dad has made.

guitars2.JPG


More guitars.

shop.JPG


Dad's guitar factory. Everything has to be in the right place or he goes nuts.

Thanks for all well wishes for this journey. As you might gather I love my Dad although I am so old now myself he treats me more like a brother than son but that's okay. It works.

Now we'll see if I've forgotten how to post pix.
 
Great pics Uncle. Glad he is doing better and gaining weight. The will to go on is the best way to keep on keeping on. Maybe he'll make to 110:D

Does he sell those guitars?
 
Glad to hear you had a good trip Uncle and that your Dad is doing so well, you look healthy too !!

:)
 
Thanks, Gin. He said he would sell a few of the guitars if anybody wanted one. He's put a price tag on them from $300 to $500. They remind me a little of our khukuris -- pretty heavy. He's got a couple of mandolins he made, too, that he said he would sell.
 
UB, thanks a lot for sharing those. Very glad that your dad's doing better. Looks like he's a master at guitar-making. That shop makes my fingers itch, even though I wouldn't know what to do with most of the tools.

You will recall that the Eternal Emperor of the 'Sten' series also made guitars.
 
You know, I used to hang around at the Winfield Bluegrass Festivals...did your dad ever sell his guitars there?

Ben
 
Dad really isn't interested is selling his guitars. He started the project to keep from going nuts when he retired. First guitar took him six months to complete but it gave him the project he needed to stay sane. He now has about 40 hanging around the house and told me he might make another this winter when it's too cold to do anything outside.
 
Glad to hear your dad is up and about, Bill. You look pretty chirpy yourself, too.

Heart-warming family tale. :) :)
 
The guitars look really nice from what I could see in the pictures. Reminds me of a Martin or some of the S.L. Mossman's. Those guys are to guitars what H.I. is to khuks.

Ben
 
Good pictures, Uncle. Darn nice guitars. He must be really proud and alot of self satisfaction in making them. Bet he would be like Bura if he tried to train anyone in making them. :)
 
Glad he is doing well. It is my dream to build guitars one day. I am getting started, done one kit and working on another. I want to go to a lutherie school when I can find the time. Those look great, I envy his shop.
 
Great pix and thanks for posting them! :) Sounds like you two had fun, and I'm glad you're back safe.
 
Made myself a promise when I saw Dad 5 days out of the hospital that I would get back to see him at least 4 times per year. I refuse to die with the regret that I didn't go to the trouble to see him more while both of us were alive. If I can get back 6 times a year I'll do it. I tried to talk him into coming back with me but he doesn't want to leave the familiarity (and personal freedom!!!! although he didn't mention this) of his own home.
 
Good to have you back Uncle Bill, I'm glad you got to enjoy some R&R. We missed you, but it sounds like you needed it. Thanks for the pix too, your dad is quite a craftsman! I can't wait until I have a house so I can set up a shop like that.
 
Great pics, if I didnt know I would have guessed older and younger brothers. Great looking guitars as well.

Bobwhite what kind kit did you make? Also wanted to start making instruments (violins), but the availability of good tone woods scared me away. Maybe one day...:D
 
Uncle Bill,
Glad you made it back okay! It's the best thing you could do, taking time to be with your Dad. It goes by too quick to put things off.
I was lucky enough to spend time with my Dad on the night before Fathers Day. That night he passed away unespectedly. We had a good visit, said our "good nights", I love yous and he thanked me for the gifts I had given him. I didn't think that those would be our last words to each other, but they were. I'm really glad I had the chance to say them.
 
Both you guys are lookin good!!!!! Nice guitars too. I wish my shop was that neat and clean.
God Bless.
Terry
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top