Thanks so much for the warm welcome! I have so much to do to get the shop working, I'll need moral support.
Newtooth alluded to the mysterious "harrowing end" comment. Yep, it was bad. After an accumulated 30 years or more of riding horses while avoiding hospitalization, things fell apart 12/30/13, when I was bucked off and broke my back in two places, got a helicopter ride to Harborview. "No worries" I thought, it'll mend and I'll be back in business. Well, yeah, sorta - took 4 months. Then, in August 2014, I was thrown mightily (by a different horse), ripping open right upper arm, 2 more days at Harborview and 2 surgeries.
I tried to come back from that one, but have decided it's not worth it (at my Mature Age). I still have one student who has become a very good friend, but not recruiting any more. If I won't ride their horses, I'm not going to give 'em lessons.
It's a relief to ease out and get back to toolin' -- especially with the lathe, which is SO much fun!