For some reason, I can never sleep before a trip.  This time its to go to Mesa Az for the Apache Junction Gem and Mineral show happening Saturday and Sunday 2-21 and 22.  I will be driving out to Phoenix alone and Alan will meet me tomorrow in time to set up.  I expect this will be a long and painful drive.

This time of year is the busiest for me.  The year has started out with a bang with the Flagg show followed by Tucson.  Now this show and then the Monrovia show at the LA Arboretum in 2 weeks.  I have not had much time for sphere making.  The big pile of rocks I have purchased for the year is sitting on the drive teasing me every time  I walk by.

The short bursts of time I have had seems to be filled with conflict.  First the motor blew out of the new forming machine. This is not the first time I have had to wait for a motor to be replaced on a new machine.   Love it when I speak to the rep about a malfunction and the rep asks if I have it plugged in!  LOL

The most difficult decision is what to start next.  I can ponder this dilemma for hours, garden hose in hand, spraying rocks with water.  I have cubed Pinoth from Austria and started some Fuchsitic Chert (which I have no idea where I put).      I have tried some Opalite from Neveda which was unsatisfactory and might just be yard rock.  I have 2 cubes of Noble Serpentine (Washington state), 2  Snake Skin Agate (Australia) and 2 of Opalized Serpentine (Australia)  ready to grind. The large saw is currently empty do to my indecision.

The unfortunate thing is that after I get back on Monday, I immediately go back to regular work.  I will decide many times what to start next.  Will it be Cherry Creek of Tiger Eye?  Sumatra Jasper or Sonorian Dendritic, Autumn Jasper or 7 colored Fluorite, Chrysocolla from Morinci mine or from Ray's mine.  Then there is African Turquoise, Rhodocrosite, 
Rhodonite.  The list goes on.  See my dilemma?  

Thanks for reading my wanderings.  I guess I'll hit the road.  Until next time.