...I would visit small cabinet, woodworking, and boat-making shops where I was always made welcome. I was very young, and the owners would let me pick through their scrap wood and show me certain woodworking procedures. I would bring my completed projects back to show them, and they would grin ear to ear.

...Exotic hardwood distributors in South Florida would allow me to move hundreds and hundreds of large Brazilian rosewood timbers until I found what I wanted. Before leaving, I would always make certain to stack the wood neater than I found it. That way, I knew I would be welcomed back.

...On my forays to Key West, I would meet with Cuban cigar makers who not only taught me about Cuban food, but also the wood they used for their cigar boxes. The Cuban or Spanish cedar they used was extremely difficult to find in those days. Today it is not.

...I built some of my first woodworking machines completely by hand.

...A pivotal event in my life was meeting a gentleman named Jack Cannon and entering the retail music business with him.

...One day, years ago, a lovely young woman came into my shop, ordered one of my guitars and wanted guitar lessons. We've been together ever since. Our two children both play the guitar.