Red Barn Rocks, 193 Riverside Drive, Factoryville, PA (2026)

02/03/2026

Reopening Barn Saturday February 7th, weather permitting.

Well made it back in town, a little sooner than planned, and lots to get caught up on.

It will take a bit to unpack, but all in all another successful trip, with some unusual finds, and success with some hard to find requests, including Auralite and Sugilite.

Will start posting pictures as I get them out.

Some of the highlights of course as always is catching up with fellow rock hounds, Michele Hardin from Tunkhannock who has her own rock shop and booth in Quartzite, Jim and Jennifer who have a mine in Northeast Washington and supplies us with Healerite, Rick for Peridot, Sissi and family from Madagascar, folks I visited and stayed with in France, Jesus from Mexico, the Badin family from Brazil, and so many others from around the world I have gotten to know over the years, Australia, Morocco, South Africa, Peru, and the list goes on.

Ah yes, Vinnie and Kathy McHale. Talk about old school mates, me and Vinnie, were not only old friends back in East Northport, N.Y. we went to Grammar and High School together. Spent many a night at their home in Tucson, catching up and reliving some of our youth, riding bikes to the beach, and the parties that went along with it :).

To top off this trip of course I was able to spend some quality time with my daughter Kim, and one of my granddaughters Haileigh. Rock shopping, Tombstone, Saguaro and Joshua Tree National Park, Desert Museum, and just hanging out. There is something special watching one of your grandkids, interacting with folks from every corner of the world, wondering and asking Grandpa, how do all these people know you. :). Well as I always say, this one is in the books, and that, they can’t take away.

Varied yet vulnerable the desert teaches us the marvels of adaptation. Relentless sun, soaring temperatures, and little water can make a forbidding world for non-desert dwellers, yet hundreds of plant and animal species adapted to conserve moisture and beat the heat, as hardy as they are, their word is fragile. Such are the lands of Saguaro and Joshua Tree National Parks. These lands have many guardians, and now my question is how will we be one?

When you have a moment check out topictotopic. Let’s make some noise, this is the year, this is the time, together we will make a difference on so many levels.

Carpe Diem, and see many of you soon, Lou!!

01/24/2026

This is what it is all about. Thank you science teacher Mrs. McClain for sharing and your reel opening it up was awesome.

01/20/2026

!7 Days till we re-open on February 7th

As most of the vendors were just getting started setting up for the Tucson Rock Show, or still a week out, we were busy looking for the unusual and best specimens we could find.

A few pictures of what you can expect making its way back to the barn.

Raw Lepidolite, Green Calcite Crystal, Raw Aquamarine and Pink Tourmaline, Obsidian Towers, Star Mica, Albite, Nontronite, and more.

Off to Quartzite, and Pow-Wow.

Stay warm, Lou!!

01/19/2026

18 Days till we re-open February 7th :)

In the meantime we hit the road early yesterday, first stop Rick, for Peridot, Halite, and Calcite/Psuedomorph/afterGlauberite or fossilized mineral.

Some sample pictures, of each, but before any of these specimens hit the shows, we are picking the best of the best for the barn. Picked up quite a bit of Peridot signature specimens for a future display at the barn.

Haileigh was fasinated as we were listening to Rick explain how the Calcite and Halite are formed. So cool, and she is bringing home some Hanksite a rare sulfite mineral for her personal collection.

Then we went down the road to visit Saguaro National Park. Once again each of these parks have their own unique beauty, and once again we should be investing in these parks and not cutting budgets. Please visit TopictoTopic, and share, like, subscribe to some of our videos as we build that community, and if any of you was to start a group or host a gathering, you can count on me attending and supporting.

Then it was back to the rooms, for a little lunch, a little rest, before heading to Tombstone, which is just 25 miles from Benson where we are staying.

For those familiar with the movie “My Cousin Vinny” you are then familiar with the scene where Joe Pesci gets waken every morning by the train going through town. Well same here, 4:59 AM every morning, I get my wake up call, Love it!!

Tombstone, has a fascinating history, way more than just the OK Corral. From the mining, to the cowboy wars, colorful nightlife, to the lengendary poker games, lots to take in. We finished the night off with the ghost tour of the Bird Cage Theatre. Talk about history.

Today is Tucson for some rock shopping. While most of the places are still closed, I know what warehouse doors to knock on LOL, so wish us luck!

Have a great start of your week, and until tomorrow, stay safe, Lou!!

01/18/2026

Barn is closed and will re-open Saturday February 7th.

Spent most of the day yesterday in Tucson hitting some of the warehouses, and waiting for my daughter and granddaughter to arrive and help with the shopping.

Last year I was here at the end of the show, looking for the best deals, and building up inventory. This year the mission is a bit different, get here before everyone else does, and look for the best of the best.

And so it was yesterday, most places are still closed as the show does not officially open till the 30th, but you could find me opening up new arrivals, going though boxes, restocking shelves, reconnecting with old friends, all the while the best pieces going into the Red Barn box, and the rest putting on shelves for future customers. :). Oh well the you know the saying “the early bird catches the worm”. LOL

Today’s agenda, Peridot, Halite, Saguaro National Park, Tombstone, and late night ghost tour of the Bird Cage Theatre with Kim and Haileigh.

Hey stay warm you guys, and enjoy your Sunday, Lou!!

01/17/2026

Reminder: Barn is closed and will re-open February 7th.

Barn is closed while I am at the Quartzite and Tucson Rock shows. I have the list of requests but if you are looking for anything in particular please shoot me a text, and I will do my best to try and find. 570-677-2607.

Today found me at Chiricahua National Monument. As with all our National Parks, and Monuments each are unique and beautiful in their own way. Chiricahua National Monument was established in 1924, to protect its extensive hoodoos and balancing rocks. Known for its unique rock formations and biodiversity, it is also rich in history associated with the Chiricahua Apache, Cochise and Geronimo.

The pictures do not do this park justice, and holds its own against other parks known for their rock formations like Bryce and Arches National Parks, in my opinion.

As I visit these parks and monuments, I typically ask how budget cuts have affected the parks. Today’s response was typical, “we are not allowed to discuss, but you can send an email to a box in DC, and maybe they could help with any questions you may have.” What? Not allowed to discuss! So much for transparency, and silent no more. If you are like me and feel we should be investing in our parks, and not cutting budgets, please visit TopictoTopic, sign up for updates, check out some of our videos, and please subscribe, share, and like. There is also a letter that can be copied and pasted that you can send to your representatives, clarifying their position on this matter.

When I return, I will set up some meetings, organize, and do our best to get funding reinstated to protect these Parks and national heritage. If you have a group, or meeting, and wish for me to come and discuss, I will be more that glad to do so.

Enjoy your weekend, Thanks Lou!!

01/16/2026

Update and Announcement

Barn is closed and will re-open the weekend before Valentine's Day Saturday February 7th.

Currently at the Tucson and Quartzite Rock Shows.

After meeting with our local State Representative Tuesday afternoon, discussing some Mayor and Justice Watch issues, I hit the road and landed in Arizona late yesterday afternoon, not bad for an old guy :).

We discussed some ideas how best to promote Factoryville being the “Home of the Big 6 Promise”, business opportunities, speed in our town, and ways how together we can promote our local area.

I wished her luck on her decision to run again for State Representative, thanked her for being a Co-Sponsor on bill HB1397 calling for Cameras in Courtrooms, and Transparency in our Courts. Home of Kids for Cash, and Custody for Cash, I believe Pennsylvania is one of only 4 states that does not allow for this. I plan to be very vocal and involved on this issue this upcoming year, and you can follow our progress on my personal page, and on our website TopictoTopic, if this happens to be an issue of interest of yours.

Finally we discussed Election Integrity and it starting with 1.4 Million Independent Voters in Pennsylvania having a voice in upcoming primaries. While we agreed the Pennsylvania Constitution is very clear that ALL elections are to be Free and Equal. and that parties have a right to pick their candidates without interference or input from non party members, a solution was not agreed upon, but we did agree to meet again soon for further discussions. Once again I plan to be very vocal and involved on this issue this upcoming year, and you can follow my progress on my personal page, or on our website TopictoTopic, where you can sign up for updates if it happens to be an issue orinterest of yours.

Then it was on the road, heading to Columbus, on to Indianapolis, crossing the Mississippi River at Saint Louis, moving south to Tulsa, than across Interstate 40 to Amarillo, Albuquerque, then farther south to Las Cruces, and into Arizona. All without GPS as Verizon was out. Glad I know how to read a map. LOL

I have been asked many times why sometimes I don’t mind driving long distances alone, and my answer is always the same. I find it relaxing, almost meditative, blasting some of my favorite songs and singing out loud, at 3,4 5 o’clock in the morning, in my own thoughts cruising down an empty highway. So of course it caught my interest listening to Coast to Coast and George Noory’s first guest talking about how dancing, singing out loud, and healthy food affect the brain in a good way. Puts you in a good mood. Yes, Yes, Yes, So interesting.

So yesterday morning if you heard some lunatic, singing Amarillo by Morning, along with the lyrics, while I might not be rich but at least I am free, that was me:)

So today begins at Chiricahua National Monument, as we ramp up our National Park Initiative. So if you believe like almost all of you do that we should be investing in our Parks, and not cutting budgets, please follow along here, or at the website TopictoTopic, sign up for updates, like, share, and subscribe to the videos, take a moment to check them all out when you have time.

Folks this is our time. I am so looking forward to this coming year, learning more about the benefits of sound therapies, guided meditations, benefits of yoga, healthy food as medicine, and bringing folks together as a community. So many plans, for the Barn, Greenhouse, and events down by the creek.

Silent no longer. We can do this, so if you want me to talk at a gathering you are having, or event, reach out and will be glad to do so.

So until tonights post, Carpe Diem. Lou!!

01/08/2026

Getting ready to head out to the Quartzite and Tucson rock shows next week, with a number of stops along the way.

In the meantime here at the barn through Monday, working on inventories, and believe it or not getting new stock out of the house and boxes into the barn.

So far got through the tumbled, palm stones, Shungite, Mookaite, Obsidian, Fuchsite, and Pendulums. Today, Carnelian, Rose Quartz, bracelets, and as much as time allows.

If you are in the area stop by, should be here all day, most of tomorrow but close by, regular hours this weekend, and here Monday. Text if you have questions, 570-677-2607.

Thanks, and have a great rest of the week. Lou!

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from Red Barn Rocks
There’s something ancient about this time of year —a pause in the noise, a soft light in the dark, a reminder that we’re still here, still connected, even when we feel separated.
The magic isn’t in the decorations. It lives in the quiet presence we offer one another, in moments of caring and kindness that don’t ask to be noticed.
The holidays aren’t asking us to be more —only to recognize that we’re all sharing this brief moment in time together.
We seem to remember during this time of the year that our opinions are simply reflections of who we are,
not weights we need to place on others.
That listening can be as powerful as speaking, and kindness doesn’t belong to just one season.
So let the spirit of the holidays— the goodwill — move freely through us, not only now, but whenever it’s needed, and we would like to send a quiet thought out into the world:
Let the magic of the season linger all year long.
Let peace and understanding travel farther than we expect.
Let warmth and generosity find their way to every heart that needs them.
And may you be filled with the light, with hope, with love, and with grace and stillness of the season — long after the season has passed.
May it be a living flame carried within you all year,
and a spark shared freely with the world —
And may this quiet magic endure, far beyond the turning of time.

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from Red Barn ROCKS!

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There’s something ancient about this time of year —a pause in the noise,a soft light in the dark,a reminder that we’re still here, still connected,even when we feel separated.
The magic isn’t in the decorations. It lives in the quiet presence we offer one another, in moments of caring and kindness that don’t ask to be noticed.
The holidays aren’t asking us to be more —only to recognize that we’re all sharing this brief moment in time together.
We seem to remember during this time of the year that our opinions are simply reflections of who we are,
not weights we need to place on others.
That listening can be as powerful as speaking, and kindness doesn’t belong to just one season.
So let the spirit of the holidays— the goodwill — move freely through us, not only now, but whenever it’s needed, and we would like to send a quiet thought out into the world:
Let the magic of the season linger all year long.
Let peace and understanding travel farther than we expect.
Let warmth and generosity find their way to every heart that needs them.
And may you be filled with the light, with hope, with love, and with grace and stillness of the season — long after the season has passed.
May it be a living flame carried within you all year,
and a spark shared freely with the world —
And may this quiet magic endure, far beyond the turning of time.

12/22/2025

Quick post, just changed the posted hours on Facebook, but will be available as late as needed, just text 570-677-2607.

As many of you know it is a short commute, LOL, and besides the upstairs here has plenty to choose from, the coffee is on, and quite comfortable.

OH yea, Gift Certificates have been pretty popular too.

Thanks, Lou!

12/15/2025

Before work, after work, during work, :), from now till the New Year we got you covered, just shoot me a text and will do our best to make it happen. 570-677-2607

The Barn is stocked, and as I prepare going over inventories for my upcoming trip, to the Quartzite and Tucson rock shows, along with side trips to the Apache and Navajo Reservations, I am finding things I forgot I had, so the upstairs rock room is filled up, along with other rooms. I am up early and get in late, the coffee is on, along with the heat :) so stop on in.

I have a few sound bowls left, very little Kyptonite but for the most part, you should be able to find what you might be looking for. Gift Certificates are available.

Thank you and enjoy the week, Lou!!

Red Barn Rocks

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