One of the things I look forward to the most all winter (I live in Chicago so enough said about winter) is going back home to West Virginia, where I can sit on my dad's front porch and pick my Stelling Banjo. My dad is a WWII veteran, 85 years old, and he'll sit with me, smoke his cigar, and listen. For me it's the ultimate stage for the ultimate banjo.
9 Comments |
banjomamas says:
2/12/2011 6:23:19 AM
I think that scene in West Virginia sounds like the ultimate description of peace. How woncderful!!!
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 | Geoff Stelling says:
2/12/2011 10:17:01 AM
My father (an original Sea Bee) passed away when I had been in business for only 5 years. He never really saw the full scope of what it became. Likewise for my other WWII vet uncles who have passed. My father had played a mandolin, although I never heard it, but it was probably classical style. Cherish the days you have left with your Dad. Geoff
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banjomamas says:
2/12/2011 1:03:04 PM
I agree that you are so LUCKY to have your DAD still around. Enjoy and soak up every precious moment of it!!!How I would adore to have both of my parents here.
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 | CurtissWhite says:
2/12/2011 2:28:40 PM
Yup, I've said it too many times. I wish I could go back and hear what my dad said when I wasn't listening to him. Miss ya dad.
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 | ban-joe says:
2/13/2011 9:55:22 AM
My father (deceased) was also an original Seabee. He and his brothers signed up for the navy the day after Pearl Harbor and he was halfway across the Pacific before they even came up with the name Seabees. They had been simply CBs for Construction Battalion. Someone suggested Sea Beavers since they were builders but another guy came up with the bee since they not only build but carry a stinger. This all happened in Quonset Point, RI, not far from where I grew up. I got to meet a lot of his fellow seabees at a 50th reunion in Charleston, South Carolina, a real privilege.
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 | pauwac says:
2/13/2011 10:48:45 AM
My dad was a gunner in a Navy bomber. His plane took off and landed on runways fought for, cleared, and constructed by Seabees.
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 | WVChuck says:
2/13/2011 5:28:54 PM
Great memories you'll be making. Where does your dad live in WV? As you can tell that is where we call home.
I was blessed that my mother got to see me and my brother, along with my wife perform in our local band before she passed away. I saw one of God's angels sitting the front row with a big ole' smile on her face and a tear in her eye. Man what I would give to have that moment again. Sadly my dad passed away without seeing us perform.
Thanks for the reminder of how precious simple moments can be. Let's call ours a Stelling moment.
Chuck
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 | Grum says:
2/15/2011 4:03:50 AM
Well Summer's just ended here in Australia and I've finally been brave enough to take the 'jo out onto the back porch and play loud enough for neighbours to hear. No tomatoes were thrown. I began very quietly but after a while the whole pickin' thing just takes over and you don't care how loud you are! Like it or lump it!
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| pauwac says:
2/16/2011 3:23:23 PM
WVChuck, my dad lives in Marshall County, on the edge of a farm overlooking a creek (crick). I grew up in Wheeling. My brother lived for a long time in Doddridge County, and we've all spent a lot of time around Elkins, too.
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