My dad spent his early years teaching cabinetmaking in Boston, then worked 
as a shipwright for many ears.  On a lark he bought a taxi cab, then 
another 50 or so, a car dealership and other auto related businesses and 
never went back professionally.  But, we bought our "house" when I was 
about 6 years old.  By the time I was 18 not one of the original outside 
walls was left.  When my Dad was bored or restless he added on to the house 
or built furniture.  My dad was bored alot, he added over 4500 sqft to our 
house over the years.  Did most all the work himself except electrical and 
plaster (real plaster). Well actually he had 5 sons, whom he all taught 
woodworking to. I was hanging doors at 12.  At 16 we sent off you popular 
mech. for plans to a kayak.  Well we built it and abused it for about 10 
years, till it finally gave up to ghost.  Should have saved it, I bet I put 
600 brass screws in that thing...

Been a do it yourself type eversince, and got spoiled by my fathers 
exceptional work. He taught me about MT joints at and early age and they 
have become my standard method of joinery for many things.  I inherited a 
large collection of starret measuring tools and many millers falls planes 
as well as 3 great bezel gauges, the kind with the flat locking lever that 
does not get in the way of the work.

His favorite tailed tool was a sawzall, we took down more walls with that 
thing than I can remember.  He died several years ago, but used to carve 
the most beautiful half model ships from 8/4 mahog scraps.  So aside from 
the boat projects (2 underway now) there is a new kitchen island in the 
works, and a sideboard, then comes new cabinet doors and a dining room 
table.

Here in FLA I use mostly local woods like cypress and live oak, and bring 
in Cherry for the remainder.

Regards,
Bruce