First time build.

[Flem]

"I might consider swapping some lessons for some wood splitting time... I still have a couple cords that needs busting up and stacked in the wood shed. "

As someone who splits and stacks wood every year, not sure what "busting up" means, I think I would want to walk away from the experience with a complete bow that I had made. Depending on what you do for a living, the time it takes to complete those tasks, could amount to a lot of earnings 

[Kirkll]

Sorry for the slang terminology.  "busting up cord wood" is splitting it.  We have a woodstove in the house and heated with mostly wood for 25 years. I cut and split 10-12 cords a year pretty much solo and my wife helped me get it in the wood shed. I heated my shop with a woodstove too for many years....This old red neck wood splitter has saved my back over the years.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dTGWjDRCcVHSv9TE6

But.... getting older has its set backs and limitations. The last 5-6 years i've slowed down on the firewood duty a lot, and we run the furnace in the house a lot more. Two years ago i got rid of the woodstove in the shop and put in a commercial propane shop heater. It does the job just fine, but is expensive to run in freezing weather.  I sincerely appreciate help with wood duty when ever i can get it.  This getting old ain't for sissy's.... I'll tell ya that ...       Kirk