Greetings,
Well, I was one of the new guys roaming around the PATINA
show this weekend just happy as could be. Met a few esteemed
Galoots, placed some faces with names and picked up some
goodies/woodies.
My first plan a while back was to step up to the porch after I
read all the archived posts, but that didn't work out so well. I'm
still trying to catch up. My second plan was to introduce myself
after meeting a real live Galoot--so, hi.
My name's Bob Wolfe. Live in Alexandria, VA. Have a job with
the Navy (as a civilian, not a sailor). SWMBO's a registered
nurse working at a local university. GIT's are age 5 and 8.
Spent a number of years as a kid and later when I was older
living in Germany. Was always fascinated by the old timber
frame houses, fine furniture and wood carvings that were to be
found everywhere in Europe. Came back to Alex., bought a house
that needed some work (Sweetheart era, Good condition but 
neglected). Home repairs led to minor renovations, led to built-ins,
led to furniture making.
Mine is a typical story--got tired of the usual noise and dust
created by that other stuff in the shop. One day I picked up the
beat-up, white-paint-streaked-block-plane-used-for-door-trimming
to put some chamfers on something. Hey, that was easy. Maybe I
should sharpen this. Swish, neat. OK, I've got those glued-up
panels that need some work. But this block plane is just too small.
Mmmm (light bulb), I know, I need a bench plane (at this point, I
didn't realize I should be thinking plural, not singular). So,
I stumbled onto Oldtools when I was looking for info about bench
planes. Boy, did I find the mother lode. You know the rest of the
story.
Anyways, nowadays the GIT's are happily working with me in the
shop (although, only 2 benches for 3 people sometimes causes
problems). We go to flea markets and antique shops together, and
now I have two scouts helping in the hunt. No longer are they
limited to just hammering and sawing. The other day, Dan the Man
(5 yr old GIT) drags his Mom downstairs and starts explaining to
her how to use his spokeshave. "Go ahead, Mom. You try. It's easy".
What more could a father ask for? SWMBO shaves a curl or two and
says, "Neat". I'm home free. So I slowly start the explanation
of this great bunch of guys on the net and their peculiar lifestyle.
About the age and history of those FMM packages that come in the 
mail. She says to the kids, "Dad's found a cult". Since I don't
have a #6, I correct her and explain that its more like a clan than
a cult. SWMBO comes to the antique stores now too.
So, don't mind if I do invite myself onto the porch. I feel right
at home. Keep the wealth of knowledge coming.