Buc McMaster Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Circumstances have demanded I travel to Oklahoma to attend to my ailing father........and leave my beloved Gibsons at home. There is however a guitar here. It's a Gretsch 6003 Jimmie Rodgers model from the late 50s or early 60s. I bought this perhaps 30 years ago, had it converted to southpaw and gifted it to my dad in the hope he might spend some time with it...........didn't happen. Long scale with a quite narrow nut and string spacing, it's a little difficult to adjust to but hey, it does have six strings and is better than nothing, huh. I do miss my home though....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Like you say, it's got six strings, and it's a guitar. So, your daddy is a southpaw, too? There's something slightly sinister about that... Seriously, that's one reason I have a couple of different travel guitars. The little carbon fiber Composite Acoustics Cargo is short scale, but sounds pretty good and has a 1 3/4" nut. Practically bulletproof, so you can throw it in the trunk of a car without worry, or stuff it in the overhead bin of an aircraft, or in my case, put it on a boat for months, where the humidity could play havoc with a wood guitar. Hope your father is doing better. It ain't easy getting old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Not sure if I feel sorry for your old man because he's ill or because he has you for a nurse Can't you get him some blonde Swedish girl to look after him ? Best of luck to you both buddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Hope he rights himself Buc. Been there with my wife's parents. Brought the dad home for his end. Moved her mom in with us. My parents are still alright in Brooklyn... my mom is healthier than my dad. Take care of him buddy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted April 29, 2017 Author Share Posted April 29, 2017 Thanks for the good wishes, guys. Tough situation here. Mom's gone two years now, dad has dementia and physical limitations.......won't be any improvement, only decline. I'm the first-born and responsible party in all this, living 600 miles away makes it difficult but one must do what needs doing, yes? And yes, Nick, dad is sinister as am I. And a Swedish nurse is an option, Grunt.........but quite an expensive one. Got to weigh his needs against his finances and come up with the best solution. Not sure how long I'll be up here........bought a one-way plane ride to get here......... Thanks again, folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Can't you get him some blonde Swedish girl to look after him ? Anytime. Just let me know Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Buc, my dad had Alzheimer disease, he passed in 98, it was a rough 3 or 4 yeas from diagnosis till the end. It is good that you can be there when he needs your help, it's NOT an easy thing to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 . Sorry to read of your difficult situation. Seems a situation like this comes upon just about everyone at one time or another. Thoughts and prayers for your father, you and your family. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Really sorry to hear about your Dad, Buc. I hope it's not too harrowing a visit for you. The Gretsch looks an interesting piece, I'd love to hear how it sounds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneS Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Doing what needs doing often means lifting burdens and the corners thereof. It's the work of life, and we can only hope to do it graciously, whether we're the lifters or the liftees. Play that Gretsch...it'll be a lifter for you. Keep us posted, Buc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Take care Buc. I have been where you are going, it isn't an easy road but one we have to set foot on at some point. I've laid out there on that red dirt with a few beers and a cigar and looked at that sky, nothing to stop the wind but a barbed wire fence. rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Hang-in there, Buc. I wish the very best for your dad and his family. My folks are still both around and doing pretty well. Mom is almost 92 and dad is almost 94. Both do very well, but the worry is always hanging over my head. Lots of us understand where you are coming from. None of this is easy. God Bless you and yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwalker201 Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Buc, let me know if there is anything I can help with while you are here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabarone Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 I'm really sorry about your situation, there...God bless you for doing what you are... And, it says a lot about the folks here that, in support, some have said they've been there,but no one has had the temerity/vanity to say, "I know how you feel"...'cause no one does... hang in there...and play the brakes off that Gretsch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Buc - my prayers are with you, for both you and your father. That humble guitar may prove to be a worthy companion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasAK Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Sorry to hear that Buc. My Mom passed away about a year and a half after Dad. It was a lonely feeling. No matter what the circumstances are it's never easy. I'll try to remember to be praying for you. Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 I would consider it likely that Gretch is the guitar you were meant to play while helping your father deal with his preparations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 I am also sorry to hear the situation, Buc. All the best. BluesKing777. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58 Relic Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 1493476953[/url]' post='1852213']Circumstances have demanded I travel to Oklahoma to attend to my ailing father........and leave my beloved Gibsons at home. There is however a guitar here. It's a Gretsch 6003 Jimmie Rodgers model from the late 50s or early 60s. I bought this perhaps 30 years ago, had it converted to southpaw and gifted it to my dad in the hope he might spend some time with it...........didn't happen. Long scale with a quite narrow nut and string spacing, it's a little difficult to adjust to but hey, it does have six strings and is better than nothing, huh. I do miss my home though....... Feel for you Buc keep your chin up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubengal1954 Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 All the best, Buc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 We stand with you old friend. JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Paul Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 You're a good man for being there for your Dad, Buc. My very best to both of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Hope it goes as well as possible. Both my parents have been gone for a while but being with them toward the end is a blessing you will cherish it for a lifetime. On the bright side, you have a captive audience. I played the nursing home cuircuit for about 10 years and no matter what their ailment was, everyone had a good reaction to music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingturtle Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 I often wonder what it is like having family you love enough to take care of. My family was a family in name only and once I could leave I never looked back. My family will go top their graves without me. Don't hit your kids. Although I know a parent with dementia can be horrifying... I wish I had a father that I loved and loved me in return. It's bitter but a glass half full... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 I often wonder what it is like having family you love enough to take care of. My family was a family in name only and once I could leave I never looked back. My family will go top their graves without me. Don't hit your kids. Although I know a parent with dementia can be horrifying... I wish I had a father that I loved and loved me in return. It's bitter but a glass half full... Not intending to be critical of you in any way, everyone's situation is different. But no matter how we feel about them, the brought us into this world, and took care of us when we were unable to take of ourselves. When they get old, the tables are turned, and sometimes we need to take care of them. I didn't always have a great relationship with my parents, but they were still my parents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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