gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on May 3, 2020 15:52:50 GMT -5
There's a restored Sinagua ball court at Wupatki National Monument east of Flagstaff. It seemed smaller than those in Mexico, Guatamala and Belize I've seen pictured in archaeological accounts. I wondered when I was looking at it if it had more of a spiritual, religious symbolism than being intended for actual play.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on May 3, 2020 15:04:07 GMT -5
what most people seem to miss is they are wearing football helmets. I guess American football is older than we thought. It wasn't American football, but it was a ball game. The helmets on the Olmec figures were likely protective gear used in the truly rough game of ball as played by the Olmecs and Maya. The game probably originated with the Olmecs and apparently had deep religious significance -- sometimes the losing time was sacrificed. The ball, made of solid rubber, was close to being a lethal weapon so protective gear was needed just as in American football. www.ancient.eu/article/604/the-ball-game-of-mesoamerica/
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on May 2, 2020 18:53:13 GMT -5
I saw a fascinating Olmec exhibit-- colossal head and all -- some time back at the L.A. County Museum of Art (LACMA). Study of the Olmecs is a passion of mine. They're the foundational Mesoamerican organized culture and the mystery of what preceded them intrigues me. Obviously there were precursor societies but no one I'm aware of has yet put that puzzle together.
As to African origins, theories abound. Some prominent archaeologists dismiss it out of hand, saying there were natives of that appearance, especially from South America. Others make an interesting case for the African theory. I have an article archived that supports the African theory and I'll try to locate and post it.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on May 2, 2020 18:33:50 GMT -5
Love the Pythons. That was John Cleese at his best, though Fawlty Towers was also top-notch.
It reminds me of a trip to Kinsale, Ireland I made with my wife and daughter some years back. We went on a morning stroll and came upon a street named Scilly Walk. Of course, being unabashed Americans, we all launched into our own version of silly walks. We thought we were alone but to our embarrassment found we'd been observed by some of the locals. Fortunately, they thought it was as funny as we did. (Unless they were laughing at silly American tourists).
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on May 2, 2020 1:10:41 GMT -5
Re: Supernova wheels. I cut lots of cabs and I've been very happy with mine. I've had them the better part of 2 years and they still have a lot of life left. They're a bit firmer than DPs so if you like lots of "give" on a wheel's surface you should stick with DP. While many folks seem to hate JB with a passion, I've had satisfactory results dealing with them.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 19, 2020 11:41:10 GMT -5
This is interesting. Gasoline at the town about 9 miles from me is $1.30/gallon. Gas at another small town,30 miles away is now $.72/gallon. That is a huge difference for such a short distance. I also find it interesting that the lower priced gas is from Kwik Trip. NDK traveled to this station a few weeks ago. The Kwik Trip closest to me is at $1.26. Count your blessings. I filled up yesterday here in my part of California at a station that's usually lowest cost. Price: $3.06/gal. That's down from the $3.50-$3.75 price a couple of weeks ago.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 18, 2020 10:57:09 GMT -5
No petrified wood expert here, but I've cut the so-called "Herringbone" Sequoia wood from Hell's Canyon (ID-OR) and opalized sycamore from the now off-limits Badger Pocket find in OR.
Your wood definitely has herringbone patterns and I personally think the adjective is generic, applicable to that pattern no matter where the material was found. It looks a lot like the Hell's Canyon wood but (as far as I can see) it lacks the tiny see-through crystallized vugs, resulting from rot in the original log, that make some of the HC material so popular.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 16, 2020 15:23:32 GMT -5
I prefer not to sell treated cabs but there are occasional exceptions. Due to the Zachery Process I assume all turquoise to be treated except cabs I personally know the history on. Now and then I'll use HXTAL on porous dino bone which greatly improves its beauty and makes it cuttable. I'm scrupulous about noting any treatment when I sell stones. I never -- intentionally -- cut cabs with fractures and either re-cut or discard any that show hidden fractures after cutting.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 12, 2020 14:27:10 GMT -5
Today, and as far as I can see into the future, lunch (and most other meals) will be centered on ham. Since my wife and I are in the "most vulnerable" CV-19 demographic, we're paying a young neighbor to do our grocery shopping.
There was a great sale on my favorite brand of ham early last week and I seized the opportunity. I sent our young shopper on my ham quest and she came back lugging a 20-pounder, the last of that brand available. Oh well...we have a big freezer.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 12, 2020 14:06:49 GMT -5
Looking good! The Charoite is killer. Here's a hint to prevent splitting. Some people doublet it with a very thin backing, usually black in my experience. The backing seems to prevent its tendency to split while cutting. The backing can easily be ground off if the stone is going into an open setting. If it's going to be bezeled just leave it for added strength.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 11, 2020 0:26:07 GMT -5
Happy Birthday Robin. Sorry you had to make your own festive dinner. Next year get Vince into an apron and have him do the cooking.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 11, 2020 0:23:27 GMT -5
Nice work Gary. Funny how our minds are conditioned to see patterns differently. In your second Stone Canyon I see a helmeted Roman Centurion. Great cabs.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 8, 2020 12:25:22 GMT -5
This thread reminds me of an old Steven Crane poem.
A man said to the universe: “Sir, I exist!” “However,” replied the universe, “The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation.”
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 6, 2020 22:35:09 GMT -5
\ hummingbirdstones , I see only one face -- my BIL's. But sometimes he acts a little Dopey.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 6, 2020 22:31:05 GMT -5
opalpyrexia , Gary, I don't watch that show but the face sure reminds me of my BIL. "Why the long face?" I ask him.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 6, 2020 20:46:26 GMT -5
I think your old guy and my old guy should get together -- despite coming from continents apart they might have a lot in common. I'm going to face polish this "face" sometime. Can't cab him because the slab of African Royal Sahara Jasper is sloped on the backside right under critical parts of the pattern.
Great cab -- if I was a Tahoma guy I'd be a little worried about possible future Lahars -- or worse! -- too.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 6, 2020 17:37:47 GMT -5
I've used Windows Live Photo Gallery for years and I love it. It came bundled with Win 7 and when I upgraded to 10 I asked my computer guru if it was compatible. He said Yes and set it up for me. It doesn't work quite as well with 10 as it did with 7 but no big deal. It's simple, effective and easy. I also use PhotoShop now and then for special features but 99% of the time WLPG is my "go-to." That interesting Rick I'm not sure this MS Photo software, that came installed with Window 10, is the same program as Windows Live ? Your guru may have done ya big favor by copying over from 7 to Win 10 I'll look into it but Its no big deal I like MS Paint I use that a lot The crop function is really good ... thanks! I can put you in email touch with my guru if you have tech questions. He's a bloody genius!
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 6, 2020 17:16:41 GMT -5
I've used Windows Live Photo Gallery for years and I love it. It came bundled with Win 7 and when I upgraded to 10 I asked my computer guru if it was compatible. He said Yes and set it up for me. It doesn't work quite as well with 10 as it did with 7 but no big deal. It's simple, effective and easy. I also use PhotoShop now and then for special features but 99% of the time WLPG is my "go-to."
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 6, 2020 12:33:40 GMT -5
Lunch? I just finished breakfast not long ago here in CA. Due to limited grocery shopping thanks to the CV my lunch pantry is pretty bare. I'll probably chop up some celery to mix with tuna and mayo for sandwiches for wife and me. Also half an avocado each seasoned with a bit of juice from my home-grown lemons. Sparkling water will help wash it all down.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 1, 2020 17:17:31 GMT -5
As a native Idahoan, I remember when Mt. Borah shifted a few feet upward a long time ago. That rattled things up a bunch. The state's tallest mountain, it gained a few feet in elevation rather quickly. On a trip to Idaho a couple of years ago we visited the fault scarp -- a huge displacement line that runs across the landscape all the way into Nevada, though it's not visible in all places. Idaho's a tectonically restless place and big earthquakes can be expected every few decades.
|
|