Treasure Hunting

I’m still not getting a lot of time to post with my current schedule, but I had to sit down today and write a little bit about one of my latest obsessions - soapstone.  I’m not quite sure why I’ve developed such an interest in it since it’s not exactly the prettiest mineral around.  Also, as it is mostly talc, it’s way too soft to polish unless it’s been altered in some way.  Still, I’ve been spending a lot of time looking at soapstone carvings and simply marveling at the craftsmanship involved.

Now that I think about it, it’s probably the art that goes into soapstone carving that really draws me.  Well, the art and the smell of the stone.  It really does have a nice, clean scent that’s reminiscent of soap!  I recently purchased a soapstone carving of a cat and the detail is amazing.  I haven’t taken a picture of it yet, but as soon as I do, I’ll get it posted.  In the meantime, if you want to take a look at some Inuit soapstone carvings, check out this link.

I was reading some other material today and came across this link for EarthExplorer at the USGS site.  I haven’t had much time to play around with it, yet, but this looks like a really cool website.  You can search for satellite images and aerial photography contained in the United States Geological database all the way back to 1940.  If you do find an image that you want a copy of, there is a fee involved - the fee structure is explained here.

You can obtain free digital topography maps from the USGS, though, and they have several other items of interest.  This is a great source if you’re planning a rock-hunting trip, or even if you’re just heading out into a fairly remote area.  The science of mapmaking sure has changed over the last century!

It’s been a busy week for me, and I haven’t had hardly any time to work on any of my “rock projects”.  I should have switched out the crystals that I’ve been tumbling, but I haven’t even had time for that.  I’m going to have to make sure to allot some time for that today or I’ll end up grinding them to bits.

I don’t have any new pictures, but I still wanted to post a picture today!  So I decided that I would show off this piece of desert jasper that I photographed awhile back.  It’s a specimen from Madagascar that has some very beautiful color combinations.  I have quite a few more of this type that I plan to photograph when I get a little bit of extra time.

Things have been so busy for me recently that I haven’t has as much time to spend here on this blog or visiting others that I love.  Nevertheless, when I was checking on a couple of things today, I saw this great little surprise from Ray at The Esoterical Journey.  Even though he refers to his site as a “petty blog”, it’s anything but that.  I enjoy visiting there - sometimes his writings make me smile, sometimes they make me sigh, but always they make me think and reflect, and I like that.  This award is something to be shared so it has a few items associated with it:

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person you received the award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of the nominated blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

I know that some people aren’t fond of forwarding these types of things or they simply may not have the time right now.  So, if any of the blogs I am listing fall into that group, don’t feel like you have to respond.  I look at this as a way to thank some of the people whose sites I like to visit.  But if people feel obligated to respond, that takes away from the purpose of the thought.  So, I’ll repeat, don’t feel obligated!  With that being said, here are seven of my favorite places to visit in no particular order.

Melissa’s Jewely and Gemstone Blog - Melissa always has some beautiful new gemstone or lovely handmade piece of jewelry to share at this site.  On top of that, it’s easy to tell from her writings that she is a genuinely nice person who cares about the world and the people in it.  Thanks, Melissa, for sharing your knowledge and your generous spirit.

San Diego Backroads - Betchai has a way of taking photographs that make places come alive.  Everytime I visit this site, I leave with the feeling that I, too, have been to the amazing places that she shares with us through her art.  Thanks, Betchai, for reminding us of just how beautiful this world really is.

One of a Kind, Wisconsin, LLC - It’s not often that I read things that really do make me laugh out loud, but Michelle Gartner manages to make me do that on a regular basis.  I think I first found this site because I was looking for some term to describe old jewelry.  When I got there, I found a wealth of information about everything vintage (one of my secret loves).  But it’s not just the content that makes me keep checking to see what’s new there - it’s also the lovely, witty way that Michelle describes it all.  Thanks, Michelle, for letting people know to appreciate all sorts of things in life and to do so with a grin on your face.

Luxor - It’s no secret how much I love cats, and Luxor’s personality makes me want to pick him up and cuddle him even though I’ve only seen him in pictures (and what great pictures they are).  He’d probably hate that, though, because he has that sophisticated air about him.  Thanks, Luxor (and to Luxor’s mom, Elaine), for showing us how to look at the world through a different view.

Changing Seasons - I love to read and learn about other cultures, and Ruthi is so detailed of her descriptions of everyday life in the Phillipines that I can almost picture it in my mind.  Her unique perspective shares what the life of a regular person is like rather than focusing on the glamour and fame of celebrated landmarks and personalities.  Thanks, Ruthi, for reminding us that even our differences give us all something in common.

Blooms and Blossoms - This is a blog that I have only recently started reading, but I’m always enthralled by the way that Petra is able to capture the soul of a flower in her photography.  Not only am I learning more about nature’s delicate gifts at this site, but the gorgeous colors in the photos always put a smile on my face.  Thanks, Petra, for sharing the beauty that your keen eye always seems to find.

Jael’s Art Jewels - I want them all - yes, I want them all!  But if I can’t have them all, at least I can see the lovely pictures.  The amount of detail in Jael’s creations always feels me with awe.  I’m always amazed by the beauty created by artists, but these small creations, each one so exquisite really astound me.  Thanks, Jael, for letting us all see the beauty that springs from your talented hands.

Okay, I have reached my quota of sappiness for the day, but I really do love all these blogs.  If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit them, take some time to stop by one or two when you have a free moment.

I found this interesting video where an opal prospector talks about how to track down a major opal source by following the opal trail.  Some parts of the video aren’t that great, but it gets better a couple of minutes in.

I thought the sound was a bit bad in the beginning, too, but then I realized that the narrator was just out of breath.  It must have been some hike to get up to that location.  If you have the time to watch the whole video, you’ll also get the chance to see several nice specimens that the prospector picks up along the way.

The picture to the left is a close-up crop of a piece of opalized wood.  Opalized wood is a term that’s often used when referring to wood that has been silicified, or filled with silica.  In some instances, large opals will be found inside the wood, but it’s more common to see the specklings shown in this photograph.  Wood opal and conk wood are other terms that are often used when referring to this beautiful natural treasure. 

Such specimens are often found in Nevada’s Virgin Valley.  The Royal Peacock mining site has some additional photos of a larger specimen known as the Northern Lights Delight.   Although opalized wood polishes up lovely and makes excellent jewelry, most collectors prefer to leave it untouched in appreciation of its natural beauty.  Because of the rarity of nicer pieces, it can sell for a pretty penny. 

I recently learned about a genetic condition known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy that forces children into wheelchairs before they become teenagers and usually takes their lives by the age of 20.  Travelling Blackbird at Rolling Traveler has written up a description of this condition and what is known about it here.  There is promising hope for a cure, but more research needs to be done.  In addition to giving some background on the condition, Travelling Blackbird has also included some information on the documentary Darius Goes West which covers a special journey taken by Darius Weems, a young man suffering from this condition.  If you have a moment or two, please check out his post.  Even if you’re unable to financially contribute to the cause, helping to spread the word can go a long way.