Greetings to All from the recovering Gulf Coast!
My name is Mark, though since I was 10 everyone has called me "Bull". (Thanks, Dad...)
I am married to the finest woman the planet has to offer, Beth. Together we are rearing six children (3 girls, 3 boys), the two oldest have finally left home to start their own lives. The oldest is working on her Master's in Biology at the University of South Alabama & the next is serving
her Nation as a Petty Officer in the US Navy Construction Battalions, (aka:a "Seabee"). our family keeps busy in many ways, but our primary focus is operating our Exotic Animal Rescue known as "Chaos & Critters" - a 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt organization. We accept all exotics sold in the pet trade that are no longer wanted, have been found in the wild, or which have been seized by authorities. The creatures are then brought to the best possible level of health & are found good, nurturing homes where they can live out the remainder of their days. These animals include,
but are not limited to, parrots, pythons, dragons, geckos, arachnids, and sugar gliders. Over the years we have seen most of the animals that you would not expect people to have as pets - and often simply shouldn't have! Once we awoke to find an
alligator tied to our front porch post!
What time is let unfilled is spent in other endeavors. I am a Freemason and spend a fair amount of time in charity work out in the community. I also like to shoot as often as is possible & load my own ammo. My current workhorse is the .204 Ruger, (a remarkably swift cartridge & amazingly accurate in my single shot T/C Encore rifle), though my first love is my .50 caliber flintlock. In years past I apprenticed with a riflesmith in South Carolina who specialized in Colonial styled flintlock rifles. Under his watchful eye I built several 'flinters', including the .50 cal that I still shoot today. It was during that period that I became interested in Living History. Not the type that you see at public events - though I did some of that as well - but the kind of Living History guys that actually put into practice what is learned from the past. We called it "experimental archeology". We would go on extended treks into the mountains carrying only period gear and put said gear, & ourselves, to the test. You learn a lot about the past when you are forced into our ancestors shoes! Sadly, a spinal cord injury brought that period of my life to a sudden close.
I was fortunate that as a veteran of the US Navy to have access to the Veteran's Hospitals when my back gave out on me. Though the VA was unable to repair my spine, they sent me to Emory University where their finest surgeons worked on me for over fifteen hours. Even after that I was told that it was unlikely that I wold ever get out of a wheelchair. There was one thing they didn't know...
Dad didn't call me "Bull" just for giggles. I'm stubborn.
After a short rant using colorful Navy language I informed the doctors that I would be out of said chair in under three month. Two months and ten days later I graduated to a walker. Three months later I was on canes. That was in 2002. Now I only require a staff when walking long distances or if I am particularly tired. True, I'll never be what I was, and I'll likely never throw on a heavy pack and walk off into the mountains again. However, my life is even more full than before and I - am - walking!
OK. I didn't mean for this to turn into a speech. It was supposed to be a simple "Hello", but at least you have a clue of who I am. As I said before, I don;t get into the wilds like I once did, but my heart is there and I believe in staying prepared. Moreover, I have several children to teach self-reliance. Any opportunity to talk with those on the same wavelength is a good thing as we can all learn from each others experiences. Now I'll shut up & go off to bed.
Fraternally,
The Bull
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