Tuesday, June 4, 2013

A Getaway and a Giveaway

Thought for the day:  There are little gems all around us that can hold glimmers of inspiration.  [Richelle Mead]

Last Friday, I told you about panning for gold at the Crissom Gold Mine in the north Georgia mountains. What a way for a couple golden oldies to celebrate their anniversary, right? Well, today, the saga continues:

Not gonna bore y'all to death with a bunch of info and pictures about our tour of the Consolidated Gold Mine. Just this one pic and a couple interesting tidbits, okay? The mine extends two hundred feet underground, which means, if the owners didn't siphon the water out on a regular basis, the whole thing would flood. As it is, there's plenty of water to see... and feel. (But we didn't let it dampen OUR spirits!)

Consolidated was one of the first mines in the country to use electric lighting. Trouble is, all those lights were in series, which meant if one bulb blew, the whole mine went dark. Then someone had to come in with a lantern to check miles of lighting until he could find and replace the culprit. (And you thought it was a pain to find a burned-out Christmas tree light!) There's still so much gold in the mine, it can readily be seen in the walls and ceiling, but the owners can't remove a single nugget. Why? The mine is now a national historical site. Bummer, huh? Then again, if they were still mining, we wouldn't have been able to tour it.

I won't show you a bunch of pictures from the Gold Museum, either, other than this one of some of the gold coins from the Dahlonega Mint, which operated from 1837 until 1861. Although 1.4 million gold coins were struck during those twenty-four years,  complete sets are extremely rare today. A full set of 58 coins is on display at the Gold Museum, as well as at the Smithsonian.



Okay, just one more picture from the Gold Museum. One of the cool things about the museum is the fact that it's housed inside the oldest courthouse in Georgia. This is a shot of the judge's chambers. Even after all these years, the leather on that chair looks absolutely gorgeous, and the hardwood floors have character out the wazoo. There were a couple wonderful roll-top desks and other relics from the courthouse days in the museum, too. Almost as neat as looking at all the displays on the history of gold mining in the area. Almost.

Okay, enough of that stuff. I promised to tell you about panning for gemstones, right?

At the Crissom mine, gemstone panning was done at the same troughs as gold panning, only instead of using a pan, we used a wooden-framed screen set-up. We got a BIG bucket of gem-filled dirt, and used the water to wash away the dirt to reveal all the hidden lovelies. MUCH quicker and easier than panning for gold.

We also panned for gold and gemstones at Consolidated, but there, gemstone panning is done over a steady flow of moving water. Kinda neat. Anyhow, wanta see some of the goodies we brought home?



Here's an overview of them spread out on top of our pool table.


We haven't identified everything on this tray yet, but as best we can tell, there's nothing real exciting here.



Here, among other things, we have some amethyst, rose quartz, and tiger's eye.


Some more pretty stuff, whose names have mostly escaped me. Peridot maybe, citrine, and aquamarine.
Here are some of the better gemstones. Would you believe emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and garnets on the right-hand tray? That large piece at the lower right is an emerald. Nice big pieces of amethyst and amber on the other tray, along with more tiger's eye.

Looks like we're gonna be having even more more fun with these stones. We already bought one gizmo for tumbling and polishing them, and are waiting for the postman to deliver another, along with some other stuff. Huh. How 'bout that? Looks like we may have stubbed our toes on another hobby...

Oh, and since we were celebrating our anniversary, Smarticus told me to pick a gem to have polished, cut, and set in a necklace. Next Tuesday, I'll tell you which stone I chose, and show you the finished product. How about you? If you could choose any gem in the world, which would you chose for a special piece of jewelry for yourself... or for someone you love? Turns out, just by dumb luck, I picked the perfect stone. I'll tell you what that means next week, too.

Before I sign off, I guess you'd like to know who won that signed copy of my book, huh? (Insert drum roll here, please.) The winner of my little treasure IS...

                                 the lovely Wendy AKA Quillfeather of New Zealand.

Congratulations, Wendy! Might take a while for the mail truck to traverse the ocean, but the book is already on its way to her. Because there were over four hundred (!) entries, I felt a little chintzy picking just ONE winner out of the hat, so the cats and I picked another one. (Another drum roll, please.) And the second book is on its way TO...

 the equally lovely Arleen, who has one of the prettiest gardens in the whole darned state of Pennsylvania.

If you aren't familiar with these two ladies, check out their blogs. (Try 'em... you'll LIKE 'em!)

Oh, yeah. One more thing. Finally, FINALLY the paperback version of my book is available on Amazon. It's kinda funny. When I contacted them to find out why it was so darned late for its own  party, I was assured it was already there. Yep, they said, their records showed it had been available since the 20th. After a couple back-and-forths, someone finally took his nose out of the blooming records and  looked at the site. Too funny. Oh well. It's there now. For a widdle discount, too. Cool.

                            Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

My memory shrinks, my hearing stinks. No sense of smell, I look like hell. The Golden Years have come at last. The Golden Years can kiss my ass.

(Um, not that I AGREE with that little ditty, but I DO think it's funny!)

96 comments:

  1. Wow, what fun! On the tray of unidentifiables, I'm guessing the brown stones might be jasper, green -- "Wyoming" jade, white -- dolomite or agate, and the little black speck might be obsidian or a cricket. But my what a wonderful puzzle!

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    1. You're probably right about the jasper. One of the guys at the mine identified quite a bit of it in our haul. In fact, there's so much of it in these parts, we even have a town named Jasper. Some of the stuff is appetite (Funny name, huh? But it's a beautiful deep green. Maybe they shoulda called it envy.) We even got a little bit of petrified wood... but nary a cricket. Just as well. Our cats would have eaten it.

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  2. I hear you talking.... growing up in Tucson, Arizona every kid knew stones collected stones, rocks and gems. Everyone had a tumbler rotating in their garage. In fact I am thinking of getting one. Just to smooth some of the stones I find on my land.
    I especially like Garnets. They are my birth stone.
    Went to the Bowers Museum in California and and saw an exhibit on gems and loved the different colors they come in from the norm like green garnets.
    Can't wait to see what gem you picked.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. I had a small rock collection when I was a kid. Y'know, one of those mini-collections you could buy back then. Already mounted on cardboard, labeled, and contained in a box. I never realized how much fun it could be to find them yourself, though. The tumbler has been doing its thing for a while now, and I can hardly wait to see the results.

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  3. My ex-hubby would have loved to be there with you. Its a pretty neat hobby.

    ......dhole

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    1. Yeah, it isn't a hobby I ever expected to have any interest in, but it is a pretty neat one.

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  4. You are bringing back bucket loads of memories. I have a tigers eye ball which my father cut and polished for me - and then made a silver holder for it (so I wouldn't lose it). Gold? Not my thing. But tigers eye, agates, emeralds, amethyst, moon stones... now we are talking my language. I wouldn't say no to a dirty great emerald either.

    I suspect you will find your new hobby rapidly becomes an addiction.

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    1. I'm glad to be dumping buckets full of memories on you. Good ones, I hope. I really like the tigers eye, too. And amethyst. My favorite, though, is the opal. Didn't find any of them, but I dunno if I would've had the nerve to wear it, anyway. That was my grandmother's birthstone, and she told me many times that an opal brought very bad luck... unless it was your birthstone.

      Oh, dear. An addiction? As if chocolate weren't bad enough?

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  5. That was really a wonderful and unique way to spend an anniversary. And, besides all the accumulated memories, you have accumulated a wonderful collection of gems. After they are tumbled and polished, you can start making jewelry!

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    1. Not sure about the making jewelry part, but my daughter might be interested in having a go at that. I'm happy just looking at the rocks. (Doesn't take much to float my boat.)

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  6. Hi Susan .. love the ditty too!

    What a fun time you had - amazing that mine is still viable, yet is preserved as a museum. It always amazes me how a little piece of dirt can have such wonderful gems inside it ..

    The Kimberley mine in South Africa was where I bought some stones .. so I'd know what they were .. they were named! They got muddled up en route .. but a geologist friend helped me sort them out - I think! My mother and I gathered amethyst and rose quartz from an abandoned mine in Namibia .. but your experience sounds like so much fun ..

    I'm so looking forward to seeing your nugget of delight come to life as a piece of jewellery ..

    I love the softer stones .. soapstones, malachite, lapis lazuli ... but who knows what I'd do when the time comes ... setting of gold probably ... I love three gold things - I had a bracelet stolen .. that I'd love to replicate.

    Wonderful to read about this .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Amethyst and rose quartz are both so pretty, aren't they? I hope you still have the stones you brought home from South Africa. Especially if they're labeled! That'd make it a lot easier. I just got an email from the library saying they have three field guides about rocks that I'd reserved ready for me to pick up. Maybe 'll be able to educate some of the rocks in my head enough so I can identify more of the rocks on our pool table.

      Cheers!

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  7. The Golden Years can kiss my ass.

    I'm just 48 and the thought has crossed my mind a couple times it might be best that when I retire I move to someplace cheap like Belize or Uruguay, have a good time, and when I fall and break a hip just lay where I am till I die.

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    1. HA! Well, everybody should have a retirement plan...

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  8. I enjoyed reading about your trip. Nice pics.

    I gotta know something. Are you from Houston, or are they painting tree trunks blue in other cities, too? :P

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    1. Thanks. Glad ya enjoyed it.

      Nope, we're not from Houston. We're in a little town northeast of Atlanta. The concept of painting trees blue as a community art project came from an Italian artist, whose name I don't recall. Evidently, his idea has spread around the world.

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  9. I guess you will have to get you one of those gem tumbler things sorta makes them round and shiny. I wonder what part, if any, the gold mine played in the Confederacy.

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    1. Yep, we have a few of those gem tumbler things now, and they're presently doing their "thang."

      Georgia seceded in January of 1861, and in February, the Dahlonega mint produced 1597 half eagles, and dutifully reported the output to the Philadelphia mint. The next 1600-1700 half eagles and 2750-3250 gold dollars minted were NOT reported, so one could surmise that they may have gone to supporting the Confederacy. The Confederate Congress closed down the mint in June of '61, and it never reopened as a U.S. Branch Mint, but during the remainder of the Civil War, the building served as an Assay Office and repository for the Confederate Treasury. I'd have to do some digging to find out exactly how much of the gold in that treasury came from the Dahlonega mines, but I'm sure some of it must have.

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  10. Congrats to the winners! And I can't wait to see and hear about the gem you chose. Our gems are still in a plastic baggie in our drawer. Maybe I should borrow a rock polisher from a friend.

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    1. Yeah, why dontcha pull those rocks out and give 'em a spin? There's always room for a new hobby, right?

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  11. What a fun way to celebrate your anniversary! And I add my congratulations to both of you! You harvested a lovely collection of stones. . . but I'd definitely go with the emerald! *swoons at the thought of a wheelbarrow carrying her hand around* I also lingered over your photo of the judge's chambers. So much history there! And, I don't know if we can stretch our return trip from New Orleans into this stop but we're definitely stopping at FDR's place. Without your lovely post, we wouldn't be, so I thank you very much for sharing!

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    1. Yeah, it was a LOT of fun. (And "different!") Thank you.

      How cool that you're gonna stop at FDR's place. I was just telling my hubby the other day that we need to go back there sometime. Calloway Gardens isn't too far from there, so maybe we can hit both in a single trip.

      Enjoy New Orleans! One of these days, we have to go back there, too. No better place in the world to gorge on seafood while listening to primo jazz jamming. l

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  12. This really does sound like something I'd love to do someday. I'll actually be driving through georgia in late July - might make for an interesting activity on my way through!!

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    1. Go for it! (I'll bet there are mines in Kentucky, too.)

      Going through Georgia in late July? OY! Make sure your AC is in good working order! There's LOTS of neat things to see around the state, though. If you want any suggestions, let me know.

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  13. Snort! That ditty says it all. *grin*

    Panning for gemstones sounds like so much fun! I can't wait to see which one you chose for your necklace.

    Congrats to Wendy and Arleen, those lucky ducks! :)

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    1. HA! Why am I not surprised you like that ditty?

      It IS fun! You should try it sometime.

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  14. Lovely collection. I think turquoise is my favourite.

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    1. Thanks. I like turquoise, too. It used to be my birthstone. Heck, maybe it is again. (Why do they keep changing them?)

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  15. Could make your bones
    With all those stones
    Getting rich with ease
    Having golden knees
    That is right
    They'd be gold on sight

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    1. You'll make more money with bonds and stocks
      Than with collecting a bunch of pretty rocks.
      But, heck, it ain't about the money;
      For us, it's about the fun-fun-funny.

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  16. I love amethyst and aquamarine but turquoise is also beautiful. Can't wait to see your necklace :)

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    1. Yeah, I really like amethyst, too. If my mother were still alive, I'd have something made for her from that big chunk of it. She loved purple.

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  17. Such a cool collection!
    Congrats to the winners!
    I'm going to Amazon now. :)

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    1. Glad ya like the collection. I'm not sure which is more enjoyable: the process, or the results.

      Thank you so much. Your tweet was soooooooo sweet.

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  18. Wow! This is so cool, and you had fun panning for your finds. I can't wait to see what you chose. Don't have a clue which I would choose.

    I love your header photo. Are those trunks really blue?

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    1. I'm glad you think it's cool, too.

      Yep, that tree trunk is definitely blue. Trees throughout the park were painted blue as part of a fun community project. An artist in Italy started it a year or so ago, and now communities all over the world are following suit.

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  19. Wow! What fun. I have a soft spot for emeralds. I can't wait to see what you picked out. And I'm off to check out your book on Amazon.

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    1. I think I like just about any green stone... especially jade.

      Cool!

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  20. Just bought your book. Can't wait to read it.

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    1. Double cool! Thanks. I hope you enjoy it. (Not a single bit of time travel in the whole thing!)

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  21. You know what this post makes me want to do (in order?)

    1. Buy your book.

    2. Go over to your house and play pool. :)

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    1. Okay! Glad ya want to buy the book, and hey! come on over. Once upon a time, I was quite the pool shark, but not so much anymore, so you'd probably whup me, but that's okay.

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  22. http://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Lemonade-Susan-Flett-Swiderski/dp/148489071X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370355693&sr=8-1&keywords=hot+flashes+and+cold+lemonade

    WOW! You look fabulous! :D

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    1. HA! Sweet of you to say. That's the closest thing I had to a "professional" photo. It was taken for a magazine blurb when I won a"distinguished service" amateur radio award.

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  23. http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Flett-Swiderski/e/B00CX8191G/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

    I just said, 'Aw' and put my hand over my heart.

    (Just thought you might enjoy my bit-by-bit narration. :))

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  24. Wow, that's a pretty impressive collection. And that's such a lovely gift to give someone. Bless Smarticus' heart. Cannot wait to view the finished product. If I had to choose, it would probably be Amethyst.

    Also, congrats to the winners! :)

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    1. Glad ya like the collection. Yeah, I agree... bless his heart and all his other bodily parts, too.

      Looks like we have a lot of amethyst fans here.

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  25. I am quite fond of the amethyst. It's my birthstone, one sister's birthstone, Middle Child's birthstone, and was my mom's birthstone. I'll be ordering your book as soon as I can. I hope you'll be willing to participate in one of my Author Author interviews after I read it, and then I'll review the book. I already know -- highest seal of approval because you're such a good, witty writer.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. And we have yet another amethyst fan! And for you, with good reason. That's a lot of birthdays in the same month!

      I'd be happy to be flayed by you for one of your world-famous interviews, my dear. Thanks for the pre-reading support. (I'll be ever so happy if you feel the same AFTER you read it!)

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    2. There's no way I'll dislike your book! I LOVE your writing.

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    3. You sure know how to sweet talk, dontcha?

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  26. Wow, those gemstones you brought home are awesome! I admit, I wouldn't have expected that much of a haul, shows that I know absolutely nothing about panning of any kind LOL. Sounds like a really fun trip.

    I just got back from vacation myself and I'm so excited to see that your book is available now!! Off to get it now. Congrats! :)

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    1. Aren't they awesome? It was such a fun trip, we're thinking of doing it again. Turns out there's an amethyst mine in the area, too...

      WooHOO! Thanks. Hope ya like it.

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  27. I'm still not over someone having to check all the bulbs on a string of them!!

    Have done some spelunking in my life. Sounds like fun to me!

    Pearl

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    1. Yeah, checking for one of those blown bulbs had to be the job for low man on the totem pole.

      Cool. So you're a spelunker, huh? I've been in caves and caverns, but only on guided tours. I don't think I'm adventurous enough to explore on my own. (My sense of direction is too out of whack.)

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  28. I've done the gold/gem panning around here before and come away with a few small garnets and some gold flakes. Fun!

    Happy anniversary too!

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    1. Oh, cool. I'm glad you've had fun with the panning stuff before, too. I think they have some pretty good places for finding gems in your neck of the woods.

      Thanks!

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  29. Wow, you truly found the real gems - amethyst, sapphire, etc. That's amazing. They're beautiful. I'm glad you and your hubby had such a great time, Susan.

    xoRobyn

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    1. Yeah, we did! Isn't that cool?

      Thanks. I hope you're doing well.

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  30. Crikey ... I'm very late to say 'THANK YOU!'

    Looking forward to your novel immensely!

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    1. You're not late... you already thanked me in an email. (YOU'RE WELCOME!)

      Crikey. I love that expression. Makes me smile.

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  31. There are some old gold mines down here in San Diego. I must take my gr-kids there!

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    1. That sounds like a great idea. We saw some kids at the mines, and they seemed to be having a blast.

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  32. Looking forward to hearing the story about the necklace. And congratulations to the two winners!

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  33. Hi Susan,

    I shall keep my comment nice and brief. Goodbye. Okay, slightly kidding. Another golden moment and no, I wont try and make up some silly pun, like I'm punning for gold. Hey,I know Wendy. "Gidday Wendy and congrats on winning!" And yay, I also know the lovely Arleen. I must have a look at her garden. It's all good here and another brilliant gem of a posting my year, dear friend.

    Gary, the golden wonder.

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    1. Hi-ya, our sweet punny friend. Thanks for stopping by and digging deep for some more of your verbal gems. Always good to hear from you.

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  34. That is the way to spend an anniversary. On the move. Candlelight dinners are OK too but too much sitting ..... not good for the ole fanny. Lovely gemstones. That is what my son and wife do for vacations.... go gem hunting. He is also into turning the stone into a finished ring/pendant, whatever. A lot of fun, I know, as I've watched them for years.
    I shall order your book immediately. Congrats to Wendy and Arleen. I already am friends with Wendy so I'll pop in on them.

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    1. Yeah, we really enjoy our little "adventures." It's very neat that your son and his wife do this sort of thing regularly. This was a first time for us, but I have a feeling it won't be the last.

      Great! Thanks for ordering my book. I hope you enjoy it.

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  35. What is it about rocks that make people like them so much? My boss is a geologist and he just gets all excited about stuff like that.

    Congratulations to the winners of your book. I sulked for about two seconds that it wasn't me, and then I was on Amazon, downloading it to my Kindle app. Just started reading it and already had one "laugh out loud" experience.

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    1. It's kinda funny. Geology was my least favorite science when I was in school. But, wow! The color in some of those rocks is just beautiful. And the crystals!

      That's right; you work for a geologist... how cool! Guess that makes him a rock star, huh?

      Sorry you didn't win the book, but I'm tickled you bought a copy. And even MORE tickled you found something to make you laugh already.

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  36. That's a fabulous haul of catch of whatever it is called of gemstones and rocks. I just love it. Sounds like a really fun trip.

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    1. Yeah, it was quite a haul. And it was a fun trip, too.

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  37. Hooray you're in print!!! Congrats to the winners, but it looks like you and Smarticus are the big winners! If I had my choice, I'd go with a sapphire. Always loved them. Can't wait to see what you have made!!!

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    1. I sure feel like a winner. A very sleepy winner, Dang, what am I doing still up?

      Sapphires are beautiful. Hmmm, maybe I picked one of THEM. Maybe not. G'night.

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  38. >>... How about you? If you could choose any gem in the world, which would you chose for a special piece of jewelry for yourself...

    Valerie Bertinelli... when she was young.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  39. Beautiful treasures, but I'm most excited about your book! It's a multi-faceted gem of a story! Congrats again Susan!

    Julie

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    1. Hi! You're HOME!!! Welcome back. I hope your trip was fantastic.

      Thank you so much.

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  40. How fun that you and your hubby did this for an anniversary!
    Too cool. Can't wait to see the bling. I would choose an emerald.
    ~Just Jill

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    1. Yeah, we thought it was fun, anyway. Ooh, emeralds are good. You and Marlene Dietrich... that was her favorite, too.

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  41. Sounds like you had a wonderful and fun time!

    Nas

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  42. Never panned for gemstones. Sounds more fun and productive than panning for gold. What a haul! Not surprised that mine would fill up with water. I don't think most folks realize how much rain Georgia gets. I used to live in Seattle where it often spits a little during the day. Pacific Northwesters need to visit Georgia to learn what real rain is. :)

    Happy anniversary to you and hubby, and congratulations to Wendy and Arleen on their wins!

    VR Barkowski


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    1. Panning for gemstones was more fun for me than panning for gold. Easier on the ol' back, too.

      Yeah, you're right. When Georgia has rain, it don't, it don't, it don't mess around. We have gully-washers and frog-stranglers, as some of the natives call 'em.

      Thanks.

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  43. Oh Happy belated Anniversary. I love Gem stones of any kind but the thrill of the hunt is my favourite part. Great score.
    Congrats to Arleen and Wendy those lucky girls.
    I wonder what stone you picked:) B

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    1. Thanks! You're right; the thrill of the hunt and anticipation of discovery is the best part. Guess you'll just have to come back next Tuesday to see which stone I picked. :)

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  44. I am late in getting to this post as I have been working on my gardens and shoveling and spreading 9 yards of mulch this week. I start at 7 am and I have to take advantage of the good weather which can turn back to killing heat quickly.

    Your golden adventure sounds like such fun! I wish my hubby had the spirit to try something new like that. Unfortunately, he considers eating in an unfamiliar restaurant living on the edge.

    I will let you know when I receive "my prize". I am so looking forward to reading it, Susan. We are going on a trip to Cape Cod in two weeks, and I intend to take you with me, via the book.

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    1. Not surprised to hear you've been working in your garden. After all, having one of the prettiest gardens in the whole darned state of Pennsylvania takes a little bit of sweat equity. (Okay, a LOT!)

      Awesome! I've never been to Cape Cod before!

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  45. Okay. My family and I are definitely visiting that place when we move to Georgia!

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  46. Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog. It was my own fault. I gave him a Duck Dynasty birthday party. My Duck pinata was a hit. Who knew I would soon be painting ducks on kids. Love your panning for gold piece. We panned for gold in Alaksak but I think the real gold diggers were the ones catering to us tourists. Jody the Medicare Mom

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    1. HA! I love your line about who the real gold diggers were. My hubby is a big Duck Dynasty fan, so he'd probably like that pinata, too. Especially if beef jerky and beer came out of it...

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  47. It looks like you had a wonderful trip! I totally want to visit there now :) Looking forward to seeing your necklace, too!

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