So this year has been different to say the least. In the spring of 2022, I was just a guy who was collecting and fixing up McCulloch saws because it brought me joy and helped dissipate the stress of life then I got the call from Bob Johnson from the Hospital offering me to buy out his McCulloch parts. In August 2022, I rode up there to look everything over. It was amazing to see it all and to finally meet Bob in person. I headed home the decision unmade of if I was willing to undertake the momentous task of purchasing Bobs parts. It was not as cut and dry as it sounded. Bobs place was right on the highway with very little space to get trucks and equipment in. Packing the amount of inventory, he had was going to take time and manpower. Moving it was going to require professional transportation. Once that was worked out and in place, I had to make room in my shop to store the parts while construction started on a building large enough to organize and shelve all of them.
Once I got home, I went up the see Uncle. Showed him picture of Bob’s and talked about it with him. As I talked to him, I became more excited about the idea of saving these parts. I say save because Bob had basically said that when something happened to him the parts would go to his kids who would likely just throw them away and they would be gone. I discussed the ramifications of the purchase with the Wife to be sure she was onboard with the idea then I called Bob and told him yes I would purchase the parts.
From that point on things moved fast for the next two months. From legal work to set up a business, organizing manpower and transportation logistics, to packing and shipping material deliveries to Bob’s. Early September found us at Bob’s loading a Tractor and Trailer with parts. Four men and six days’ worth of loading (It overflowed into a U-Haul and even a second trip with a car hauler trailer a month later). Suffice to say by day two of packing and loading I realized even with all my business background I had under estimated the number of parts that were at Bob’s. At the end of day six we headed south. Four days later the parts followed. It took a day, a fork lift, and four men to unload the packed-up boxes on the pallets into my shop.
Almost immediately after the parts arrived construction was started on what is now known as MacHalla. It took from September until March to get it complete and ready to start housing parts. All the parts were moved into it by early May.
I was so wanting Uncle to see MacHalla once it was done with parts in it. But by May he could not leave the house. In July we lost him. The man who started and lead me on my yellow saw journey was gone. He never got to see MacHalla in person. Only in a video I made for him and showed him at his bedside. I placed a picture of him dedicating MacHalla to his memory on the wall. Each time I pick parts I look at the picture.
2023 has been a new adventure for certain. Juggling three businesses has its challenges. I still don’t have all parts In Machalla inventoried as I want them. I expect it will be another year before I get it all sorted the way I desire.
And then I looked up and here we are in December, wow. Christmas is here, and its my favorite time of the year. This has caused me to take pause and reflect on the journey I descripted above. It reminds me how blessed I continue to be. This blessed man wants to wish each of you a very wonderful and Merry Christmas! I hope health, happiness, and prosperity are always at your doorstep, and you are surrounded by those who care most about. Enjoy my friends!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
View attachment 1138281