And finally after my woodworkers guild meeting I got it identified as Magnolia by one of the members there. Not the same Magnolia that grows into big trees however.

After some bark comparison I have identified this as being Red Tip not Holly.

Correction the bowl I identified as being Holly may in fact be something else. The wood grain and color don't match Holly.

They actually tend to be active during the day as opposed to during the night.

I haven't heard them at all. But all three were still around after I got home from work.

#birds

Aoh, and these were taken with my cellphone, and zoomed in. Which is why they are not great shots.

I got stared at everytime I went outside. Also, we don't live out in the country. Don't let the trees fool you, we are actually close to the center of town. Though there are tons of trees around here.

I have seen some amazing alcohol stains on bowls. But I just haven't managed to get a good result.

I haven't found that to be the case. But I don't stain much, I did experiment with it. But decided I could do without.

Honestly 2000 is probably as high as you will ever want to go. Wood gets a nice shine right at that grit. Anything higher and you are just polishing..

I have a AMT lathe. It was bought and then never used till I got it.

I just use Butcherblock conditioner. However, I sand to a insanely high grit. I go all the way up to 10,000 where most turners stop at 600 or 400 or maybe go up to 2000. I go that high because no one told me not to.

*Wand not wans. Stupid autocorrect.

I think I put mine in a vise and bent it back. But it was much thinner and softer steel.

Hey! I just saw this on Reddit!! I will give you a follow there. Looked like they were giving you some good advice. I have a small bowl gouge from a set of Harbor Freight turning tools that I bent accidentally. It was when I was still learning. I no longer use it, just out of caution.