Festus56

Greetings All,

Have been lurking here in the background for a few years. Reading, admiring and sometimes borrowing ideas from all the talent here. Decided it was time to say hello and introduce myself.

Mark (Myself aka "Festus") has been designing and building creations from wood and/or leather for over 40 years. Started leatherwork in high school as a way to keep me in spending money. Self taught at the school of hard knocks and still learning. (Jamie mostly just watches and encourages, but she has a hand in helping with some of the building process.) I grew up on a ranch in northwestern South Dakota and spent 30+ years working as both a general contractor in remodeling and adding on to homes; and as a builder / remodeler (carpentry, custom tile, sheetrock, paint, landscaping, etc.) residential and light commercial in the Black Hills area.

Pulled up stakes after divorce and moved from South Dakota to Wyoming and started driving truck for a living. Kinda like starting over I guess. About 6 years ago I met a great lady and settled down again. Finally was able to get my 40 year collection of tools in one place and start using them again.

When we are not working at our full-time employment (year-round) or creating things in the shop (nights & weekends - mostly throughout the winter), we love to travel. We have ridden over 115,000 motorcycle miles during the last 8 years. Those miles have included journeys into 14 US States and 5 Canadian Provinces

May 2016 --- Due to the downturn in coal, oil and gas energy related companies in WY - my company offered some of us a early retirement package. I accepted it and have since relocated to the Billings, MT area. Renting for now while we look for a more permanent place to call home. At least I have a bigger shop now.

Mark