On 5/5/2011 8:44 PM, mactrek@u... wrote:
> My name is Mac. I have been lurking under the porch for quite a spell
> now. With gracious help of the site owners I think I have finally got
> up on the porch.
>
>   I was born in 1951 at Scrabble Creek, WV. I work at a VA hospital
>   and live out in the country in the mountains on WV(I can't even get
>   internet except dial up or by using this blackberry phonamajig). I
>   have always liked to make things. My people were mostly blacksmiths,
>   carpenters, stone masons, or farmers with a couple of country Drs, a
>   granny midwife, and a couple of horse traders thrown in for good
>   measure. My dad worked in a hardware store and I was practically
>   reared there. I have used hand tools since I can remember. Dad's and
>   uncle Howard's shops had no electric so hand tools were a necessity.
>   (Howard did not even have electric in his house.). Now I enjoy
>   making things in the manner of my 18th century forefathers. I have a
>   small blacksmith shop although I do not have the audacity to call
>   myself a blacksmith. I have a woodshop with a couple tailed critters
>   and I must confess I do use a gas powered chainsaw to cut firewood
>   and rough beams and boards. However, I use hand tools for
>   woodworking and blacksmithing 95 per cent of the time. My
>   wife(SWMBO?) also makes spoons, bowls and occasionally boxes. She
>   can also swing a pretty mean hammer at the anvil. I guess I collect
>   tools but not just to look at. I like to use them. On occasion I do
>   make some tools mostly edge tools. I look forward to sitting on the
>   porch and possibly getting into a discussion or two. It is also much
>   more comfortable for an old fellar in a rockin' chair than on the
>   damp ground under the porch. I hope I got this message sent OK after
>   wearing out my thumbs!

Welcome up into the sunshine here on the Porch!

- Bill T.
- Whose paternal grandfather's people came from WV.

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