Treasure Hunting

The cold weather snuck up on me a bit this year.  We’ve been having gorgeous days here for the last couple of weeks, but this weekend the temperatures started to fall at night.  Right now, it’s about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but I am refusing to turn on the heat since it should get up to 70 or 80 today as summer tries to make its last stand.  That’s autumn weather in the desert mountains for you.  The snow could arrive anytime now.

I decided to go ahead and post one of the photos I took of the African picture jasper a couple of days ago when I was photographing the ocean jasper.  I love the markings on these pieces, and I think that whoever decided to name it “picture jasper” should get a naming award.  Each stone of this type does seem to have its own story to tell through its markings.  It reminds me a lot of ancient writings that have been found on cave walls.  This particular one brings images of a burning desert to my mind.