Thanks Curtis!

[Dario]

Last night, LOML and I went to visit Curtis (Mesquiteman). It was a learning experience for me. He knows so much more about local wood, some of them I've never even heard of before. Let's just say I added a few species to hunt for .

His shop is probably one of the biggest I've seen! His table saw's footprint alone is probably bigger than my work are!!! [:0].

He shared some techniques and tips about cactus casting but not sure if I got it down even with all his help. It is much more complicated than I am equipped right now. He made a new cactus pen which really WOWed (is there such word?) me and my wife.

I also scored some dry cactus skeletons, some wood and a few drool worthy pen blanks which you will all see in a few weeks as pen(s).

My trip is definitely worth it. Thanks again Curtis!

 

[MesquiteMan]

Dario,

It was a real pleasure visiting with you and your wife! I am glad I was able to share some of my local wood knowledge with you. Thank you very much for the pen blank you brought me! I really appreciate it, even though I told you I was not interested in wood other than native Texan! What I really meant was that I am not interested in selling pens made with wood other then Texan!

Anyway, you are welcome at my shop ANYTIME!

That goes for anyone else in the Central Texas area. I really enjoy having visitors and sharing.

 

[airrat]

I lived in Texas for a few years. Does that mean if I am in the area I can sneak a peek? [][8D]

Little story about my experience in Texas, after moving there I went to get my driver license. I get everything filled out and wait in the line that took over 2 hours. It was hot, stuffy and no where to sit. I finally got up to the lady at the counter and she started working on it for me. She seemed to be in a poor attitude. About half way through she stopped and looked at me and around and stated very loudly,"You know this will never make you a true Texan or considered a Texas citizen!" I was shocked and just about speechless, however, I replied to her," Its ok I never wanted to be a Texass citizen." She got a blank look on her face, didn't even look at my forms, just did what she had to do and sent me away. I was out of there in less then 10 min.

 

[lwalden]

Don't feel bad, Tom. I've lived in Texas 31 of the 44 years I've been on this planet, and while 95% of the folks I meet are one's I'd invite home to dinner, there are still a few with high criteria for being considered a true Texan. Even being born in the State doesn't qualify for some- all three of my children were born here in the Dallas area, and I had a person at work point out that my kids weren't true Texans, under the same standard that if a cat gives birth to it's litter of kittens in the oven, you wouldn't consider them biscuits...... but these seem to be few and far between. Even given the blistering summers, I wouldn't consider living anywhere else- because of the people.