Happy new year to everyone at lumberjocks! With the temperatures hovering at -30 in Fairbanks and only about 4 hours of daylight my wife and I decided to make a trip to Thailand. She was looking forward to taking care of her mom and dad who are both in their 90’s. Unlike the US where we farm out our older citizens, Thais care for family members until the end. One of the many things we as a country have lost. I had been purchasing tools from ebay to fix and bring here for woodworking( no taxes that way) and had the good fortune of getting a bunch of paduck from her sister. It sure is nice wood but I would never use it to make a bench in the states! I am building a bench back home too but we will be here until Feb.5. Anyway, much to the amusement of the Thais here in the village I have started making a bench with mortise and tenon joinery.I found out that here the term chung mai, which means carpenter in Thai, is now what they call me. I cannot post photos yet because my connection is dial up speed here in the village. Have to go work on the bench, later.