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Monkey renching life, Posted by Christopher Blackwell on April 8, 2026, 10:48 pm A month of serious illness tossed a major monkey wrench into my life. So to try to get some things working again, I will probably not be posting near as much online. This week will be getting myself together and hopefully a bit more organized. Later there is the matter of can I get the shop back in business after it has been closed for more than month, word spreading of it suddenly closing unexpectedly during the local rock and gem show? Both are unknown, as also what of future health issues. I suspect that I am close to the end of my life. In rehab, I went through a three-day depression and fear period. Quite debilitating. Then a thought crossed my mind. " Savor what you can still enjoy in life." So what was available at night in Rehab? I went to the TV room, bought a 20 ounce sugar-free Coke, sipped it slowly. I watched part of a movie, not worrying if I could hear and understand it with my poor hearing, or even follow the plot. Just watching to enjoy watching it because I could. It worked, it broke that depression and fear downer. I got my emotional balance back. ChristopherBlackwell

Exemplary! Posted by Pikes Peak 14115 on April 9, 2026, 4:39 pm, in reply to "Monkey renching life," ADMIN What a blessing you are. You can look away from a painting, but you can't listen away from a symphony

You are a blessing to others… Posted by Skye on April 9, 2026, 6:55 am, in reply to "Monkey renching life," Valued Poster who may be facing similar or worse! My aunt who lived to be 95 had the most positive outlook on life of anyone I ever knew. She used to say, “Life is really something!” I wish I could be more like her, but we all have to be ourself and hopefully help others along the way. It is a joy and a privilege just to know you, Christopher. ❤️

Absolutely agree Posted by greenman on April 9, 2026, 12:00 pm, in reply to "You are a blessing to others…" Valued Poster I couldn’t say it better than you did. Glad you’re with us, Christopher. SAY ‘NO’ TO WAR! RESIST!

What an incredibly sweet post! Posted by Sia on April 9, 2026, 8:25 am, in reply to "You are a blessing to others…" ADMIN

Anything can be a hammer Posted by jacque on April 9, 2026, 4:03 am, in reply to "Monkey renching life," Valued Poster I’m glad to see and read you are posting again. We use the tools we are given. Butter knives are great slotted screwdrivers sometimes. I use captioning or subtitles while I watch tv a lot. Viewing is great but tv sound quality is horrible. But Most of All being in the moment when you are there is the best way to savor it. It’s good you found a moment to find more. A Jack of all trades is master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one. ... And many thanks for the masters in skill for setting our standard of work to instill.

I'm glad you got that balance back! Posted by Sia on April 9, 2026, 12:28 am, in reply to "Monkey renching life," ADMIN As for your shop, can use use social media to let people know that you are back in business? I've seen a number of posts online about you and your shop. Facebook almost has a fan page! Exaggerating a tidbit there, but threads about your awesome shop and you being such a knowledgeable and awesome individual. Is there anything any of us can do to help you?

Sia, Reopening the shop Monday April 15 Posted by Christopher Blackwell on April 10, 2026, 9:25 pm, in reply to "I'm glad you got that balance back! " Just have vacuuming to do and dust off the display. Now if I can just find my feather duster. The stores don't seem to carry them anymore and the modern replacements just do not work as well. If anyone wants to spread the word our reopening, I would appreciate it immensely. ChristopherBlackwell

I'll do that for you! April 15 is next Wednesday not Monday! Posted by Sia on April 11, 2026, 12:38 am, in reply to "Sia, Reopening the shop Monday April 15" ADMIN

My mistsake, meant Monday April 13 Posted by Christopher Blackwell on April 11, 2026, 11:16 am, in reply to "I'll do that for you! April 15 is next Wednesday not Monday!" Sia, thanks for pointing out my error. ChristopherBlackwell

Link please Posted by Trish on April 11, 2026, 11:59 am, in reply to "My mistsake, meant Monday April 13" Admin

Re: Link please Posted by Christopher Blackwell on April 11, 2026, 6:17 pm, in reply to "Link please" https://www.zianet.com/geodekid/ Our webpage created over twenty-five years ago. Basin Range Volcanics Geolapidary Museum rock shop. 6235 Stirrup Road SE Deming, NM 88030 Phone: (575)546-4021 We started as a museum with seven eight foot long cases of my partners' lifelong collection of geodes and nodules that he mined and traded for since age 15, when he left home. As his health faltered, we added and eighth case when we moved it to the Deming Luna Membres Museum and have been a rock shop since. Open 9AM to 5PM, closed Wednesday. Sometimes for for three days with sign on when reopened. Just type in the name Basin Range Volcanic Museum and look at the reviews. People seem to like me. ChristopherBlackwell

Of course... Just wanted to be sure you didn't put out a release with wrong date. Posted by Sia on April 11, 2026, 11:32 am, in reply to "My mistsake, meant Monday April 13" ADMIN Otherwise, who cares if you made a mistake.

Re: I'm glad you got that balance back! Posted by Christopher Blackwell on April 9, 2026, 9:04 am, in reply to "I'm glad you got that balance back! " Sia, First thing is getting myself fully functioning into this routine. As the home nurse was checking me out and explaining things, my cat was making sure to catch up on owed lap time the entire two hour nurse time. ChristopherBlackwell

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