Another day, another nickle #13: It's Been an Interesting Journey

Good luck to you and the Mrs. Hope you can someday get a new shop and rejoin us LJ’s. Sorry to hear about the puter. Sounds like you are getting it back to normal. Again good luck on your new adventure. Maybe Todd will let you come and do some woodworking projects with him.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

What else can I say, good luck and do visit LJs to say hello maybe or throw a few words of comment & compliment. I know how hard to walk away to leave behind things you’ve done & spent so much for.
Again Good Luck! May God bless you and your family.

Sincerely,

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

It is always both exciting and intimidating to start a new career. When we move outside our “comfort zone” it creates new challenges and gives us a new perspective on things. It is sad that you did not have the traffic to keep your business venture afloat but you are not alone in this situation. I have always had the utmost respect for those who pursue what I approach as simply a hobby. I wish you and your wife nothing but the best as you both start your new working careers.

I am sure that Todd will welcome getting some pointers from you when you have to chance to see him. :)

Keep us posted on what is going on with you and Carleen.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

I wish you both all of the BEST on your new adventure. I have hunted in that area and found it and the people to be great. I am sure you will feel more relaxed and comfortable with this new work. The woodworking business and retail sales, in general, are going to suffer greatly for the next few years. I think it was a very wise decision and fortunate that you have gotten this opportunity.

Good Luck, John

-- Oldworld, Fair Oaks, Ca

Sorry to hear about the shop. I wish the small buisnesses in this country got a better chance. Best of luck with your new job. Don’t do too good of a job or we’ll get run over by New Yorkers wanting to move to God’s country.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Good luck.

Bring ‘em back alive.

-- Father of two sons. Both Eagle Scouts.

Mr. Angle,

Congratulations on your new adventure, or possibly your return home. Your work, wisdom and wit have been worth the price of admission here at LumberJocks. Good luck to you fine sir and stop in whenever you can.

-- Working at Woodworking www.VillageLaneFurniture.com

OK, I hate to be selfish here with the way things have gone – but I am going to MEET THOS. ANGLE!

Dayton is within spittin’ distance when it comes to the west. We have family in Sheridan and we sometimes go hiking up the Tongue River Canyon which is off your exit. There is a cave and rock climbing up that canyon although I haven’t seen any real rock climbing the last few years (working in Ohio.)

The drive over the Big Horns is a gorgeous one when you take Rt 14 or Rte 14A. This will take you to Cody and you can visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and they have one of the best collections showing the history of firearms.

You may find new opportunities in the future for selling saddles. There are extremely wealthy people filling the valley in Big Horn, the area against the mountains south of Sheridan. My my wife’s family has been involved with running the Polo Ranch and another one (can’t remember name but owned by Coke executive) but they have horse shows and polo matches. These people actually fly teams in from South America to play them.

At the Polo ranch they have horse shows and vendors are on site selling items such as saddles and tack. This is not a fair grounds activity but on private property and kind of exclusive. We were there a few years ago and saw the horse that the Walton family just purchased for $3 million from the Polo Ranch. Rita could only think of “The Waltons” TV show but I am sure you have guessed it is of the Wal-Mart fame. These are the types of people that fly to LA or NY for a day of shopping just as easy as you and I drive to the local mall to go shopping.

I am sure that the ranch gets supplies from Costco Wholesale in Billings. The Costco in Billings draws people from a large region. The shopping habits are different here than in the largely populated areas, so I may see you once in a while from those supply trips. Cabellas will be open soon and we have new Sportsman’s Supply Warehouse too. Of course I am sure that many of the old ranch supply stores are still open that you may be familiar with. If you don’t get it from Sheridan it probably comes from Billings.

I am just a stone’s throw off of exit 450 in Billings.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Tom,
Good luck to you and Carleen with the new move and job. I hate to hear about closing down the business and selling out the shop. I know that hurts. I have been there myself. We both know that God travels with you in this new move. I checked the ranch site out, looks like beautiful country! I know that both of you will fit in there, just like family. May God help you to settle into your new home, without too much stress. Please keep us posted.
Your friend,
Gene

-- Gene, a Christian in Virginia

Thos, sorry to see you go, but excited for you to be able to start a new adventure, you will be sorely missed here, good luck and take care.

-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"

Good luck to you on your new adventure. Check back in with us every once in a while.

Take care,

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

Tom and Coleen,

Best of luck to you! It sounds like an interesting opportunity in more ways than one. Someday, maybe I’ll make it out that way. Take care of yourselves.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Just talking with Rita, she is familiar with the Padlock Ranch.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Oddly I thought “Haven’t heard anything from Tom for a while” waiting for the coffee to brew this morning. I’m saddened that you have to close up shop, but this seems like perfect opportunity for you and Carleen. There’s lots to be said for the stability of the new situation. Maybe new opportunities for patronage will develop around your wood and leather skills once you’re in Wyoming.

And then there’s opportunity to hook up with Todd. Two of the nicest gentlemen above sod that I know within spittin’ distance of each other…I hope you get the chance to meet. Keep in touch, Thos.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Congratulations on your new job, and sorry to hear about your shop closing. But, it doesn’t mean you still can’t do the work you want to. Now you will have a different focus instead. Anyway, be sure to let us know how this story continues.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

Thanks for all the kind thoughts. This is actually just a step back to a former career, two in fact. Carleen and I sold our ranch when we moved to Jordan Valley, 4 years ago. I guess if I have a real job it is ranching. this has been a fantasy interlude which I have enjoyed very much. I moved to Oregon from Cody about 19 years ago. I know this area pretty well as I worked on the Little Horn Ranch in 1974 which is just over the ridge. Up until 1979, I had never worked on a ranch with fewer than 1500 head of cows. I belong to the group called, ” Big Ranch Cowboys”. It used to be that all we did was sit a horse and work cows. Now we drive a little more but it’s still a horseback job. Years ago, about 1971, I was involved with the Buffalo Bill Historical Center during the Wounded Knee incident. I became one of Dr. Mac’s hired guns, but that is another story.

-- Thos. Angle

I hope it goes well for you there my friend. Having a good, securem and interesting job is a real blessing. I’m glad you found one that is a good fit for you.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Tom & Carleen you were the first two to welcome me to this site of great woodworking people. Your words of encouragement and nice reviews are what make this site such a joy to return to, with that said I wish the two of you all the best in your new endeavors. It sound like a match made in heaven for the two of you stay safe. If I could dedicate a song in your honer it would be “Don’t Fence Me IN”...thanks for all your support to this site past and present….Blkcherry

Thos. You will be sorely missed here at LJs. Your wit, wisdom and campfire stories were one of a kind. When you were gone a while ago I think the site was a lot less than what it used to be with you gone. I, pesonally, think your a great and wonderful man and am proud to have you as my friend. You take care of yourself and Coleen and good luck with the tenderfeet. I’ll bet they are worse handling then the cows. God Bless, and safe home, mike.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Hate to see you go, but glad that you have found employment in this economy.

Wish both of you well, check in with LJ when you can.

Dalec

Thos. We wish upi yjr best of lucl in returning to your roots. May you and the Mrs, Enjoy your self and well keep the coffee pot on here for your return.

Good luck Buddy.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

God’s blessings on you and your dear wife I wish you all the best for the future let us know how you get on.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

Hi Thos sorry to hear about your shop but the new direction you,re going in sounds like something really worthwhile. It,s been a dream of mine to ride across America since I was a kid (on a Harley not a horse) and pictures of wyoming always seem to appear whenever I read articles about it. Maybe it was all those Cowboy movies I watched as a kid but the American west has always been on my “to do ” list.
All the best to you and your wife, and if it,s not to presumptous, maybe one day I will get to call on you for a tour of a real American ranch!

-- if the hand is not working it is not a pure hand

It’s sad to see ya taking a vacation from Lumberjocks, again, but life will intrude on the best of friendships, and all your friends gere at Lumberjocks will miss your sardonic humor and exquisite work with leather and wood! These times are getting real hectic for people, and I am relly glad you have found a “job” doing those things that bring you so much pleasure along with the occasional frustration!

Well, all I can do is parody Roy Rogers and wish you “Happy trails to you, until we meet again. Happy trails to you, keep all those dudes riding back in! Happy trails to you, until we meet again!”

God Bless,
Hawg
(Soaking up that Arizona sun.)

-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards

Good luck and best wishes.
Thanks for the kind words have have given me in the short time I’ve been here. Hope all goes well for you.
God Bless,
Bently

Thos. -
I’m sorry to hear you’re closing shop. I’m sorry to hear you are moving away. I’m sorry to hear you will be on LJ less frequently. But I’m glad you will be doing something you know and love. And I envy the time you’ll spend out-of-doors.

Be safe, and don’t forget to include the guests in your headcount!

-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

Hi Thomas;

I’m real sorry to hear the country / world is losing one of the finest saddle makers alive. I’ve mentioned my thoughts on people with your talent having to worry about work or money. It’s just not right.

To me, you are a national treasure. Us woodworkers are pretty common, but someone with your skill should never want for work. I would think that people would be lining up at your door to apprentice under you.

That being said, I wish you the very best in this adventure, and it does sound like hard work, but fun. I’m very happy to hear you will be making good money and getting benefits. I’m certain that’s a big load off your mind.

I sure hope Carleen won’t be cleaning up th entire half million acres. LOL By the time she finishes it, she’ll have to start all over.

I hope this turns out to be the blessing it sounds to be, and that you will stay in touch with us.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Keep in touch, Thos. That outfit is lucky to have you both.

-- If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free! PJ O'Rourke

Good luck in the new venture Tom. Keep in touch.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

sorry to hear your closing shop so many people don,t understand the economic impacts of the foreign trade on small bussiness owners wish you both the best of luck

such a mixture of emotions—congratulations, excitement, sadness, frustration, blessed.
I wish you all the best wishes there are for what’s up and coming and I do hope we see you often here at LJ.

and Todd… well aren’t we all envious! :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Hey Tom I wish you and the wife the best of lick on your new journey. Sounds like you’ll be plenty busy. I’m really sorry to hear about your shop though. But I’m very glad you found and have a job, your somewhat lucky in that respect. We are kind of iffy right now at our work, things are slow.

Don’t become a stranger, hang on to your leather tools.

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

I certainly can’t blame you, with the building trades down I think it’s only going to get worse. Before, everyone was a carpenter, now, everyones a unemployed carpenter. I’m suprised Black and Decker ( Delta, DeWalt, Porter-Cable ) isn’t screemin for a bailout. Thos, I think you do some beautiful leather work, stick with that for a while on the side, atleast till things pass, if they do. When I first started woodworking I mainly bought tools to build something the wife and or I wanted, then after quite a few years I thought I was good enough to start my own bussiness, well after a couple years of it I learned the hard way, now I’m back to just doing things for us at home. I can’t see selling the tools, I know I’ll allways need them to rebuild a deck, a shed, cabinets, shelves, crafty stuff, etc.

Well, the machinery has been sold. Tony Berrett bought it and I told him he has to join LJ. I also told him that all my friends here would help him and answer all his questions. The Berretts are family friends and I know they will get a lot of good out of all this stuff. Good Luck, Tony.

-- Thos. Angle

Holy cats that was fast.

Thomas, You will be missed around here. Hope to see you be able to comment and maybe post a few of those fanatastic Leather projects in the not to distant future.
Good luck to you and your wife in your new adventure.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

Tom and Carleen,

This came as a surprise But we do wish you God’s blessings in the new chapter in your lives. Such physical work should keep you young for a long time. Do keep us posted.

-- "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

I hope you can bring ‘em back alive!! Keep ‘em on the old plugs that can’t move too fast is a good place to start. I know how you feel about letting go, but starting a new adventure. I’ve done it a couple times. Once by choice and once because of an incompetent Dr. Best of luck!

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Woodchuck 1957, at least you tried it. In the last 25 years a lot of people have asked me about going into business. They usually say I’m discouraging. I tell them I’m not trying to discourage them, just tell them how it is out here. One thing you don’t want to do is start when you are too old to recover from it or get old wishing I’d done that back then. Most of all, it is an art of knowing when to just say “no” and knowing when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em..

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Sorry to hear you’re closing up Thos. Best of luck to you both.

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

Hi Thomas, & Carleen.

Barb, & I wish you both a bright future in your new venture.

I’ve always admired a of your skills of Leather, Woodworking, & being Cowboy.

We’re sorry that you had a tough go at your business, but we’re sure you’ll both do

very well on your newest adventure.

We’ve looked at your new place of employment on their website.

It looks like Gods country.

We’ll be looking for you when get hooked up with us again.

Dick, & Barb.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Godspeed Thomas & Carleen. It’s been a pleasure “knowing” you guys. I’ll be anxiously waiting for your return in the future (when the Internet and Time permits).

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/