Being new to blogging, I (SAM) am learning a little about posts as I go. I've decided my last couple were way too long. This one is much shorter, introduces a little friendly competition, and inspires the rockhounds or wannabe rockhounds out there to make a thoughtful response.This post is a guessing/knowledge game. For the first responder to correctly name all of the first three rocks, a prize awaits. This shiny, golden disk is found underground in Southern Illinois. You must respond with its commonly known name and not just correctly identify the mineral. In other words, you wouldn't identify the Mona Lisa as just a "painting."
This second rather plain-jane rock has an interesting, if not common, origin. You may not be a rockhound but try guessing, anyway. You will probably be right! But, watch your step.
These two photos are of the same rock. The view by the bricks reveals how straight the rock is when seen from the front. The view below was taken on the back of our sofa. What can I say, I am a very amateur photographer! I hope it shows how the rock actually bends when placed on edge.
Finally, the prize for the winner of our Ultimate Rock Trivial Pursuit competition. No, you don't get the pot or flowers (sorry Garden Bloggers) but I will send you the little golden rock in front. Heck, I will even tell you what it is - Pyrite, aka Fool's Gold. Don't get me wrong! I'm not calling the winner a fool - I'm just a crazy fool for rocks.
Okay, now make it REALLY really hard for us all. I need to go get our rock collection to check but I am going to guess anyhow. The first maybe quartz, the second granite, the third slate? Okay, stop laughing now! You can tell I'm not a rock hound!:)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't even attempt to guess. The second one doesn't look like rock.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Just make a stab at it folks, even one right answer could win the prize!
ReplyDeleteDear Sam,
ReplyDeleteI have no idea but they are all very pretty!
Fun post! Maybe you could give us little hints...I do have a rock field guide someplace! LOL
Sherry
Q, you are right, so here goes the hints. The first specimen could be akin to a fool's solar orb. The second rock already had a hint included in the description. It is petrified-something and you should watch your step. The third picture shows a common sedimentary rock but its special attribute is part of the name. Tina, I'm still laughing but take another guess! Marnie, I bet you are on the right track with rock #2 so just say what you think it is.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam! What a fun and intriguing post! I have done some research and think I might have #1 and #3. I still am searching for anything about #2 (this one is hard...but I am thinking a geode of some sort, with maybe something like amethyst inside)...I know that probably isn't right, but it is wishful thinking on my part! LOL!
ReplyDeleteOK...here are my guesses so far:
#1- A Pyrite sun
#3- Sandstone????
OK...still figuring out #2. Hopefully I can do it...this is so much fun!!!
Just dropped by to say Hello after you dropped by my blog the other day...
ReplyDeleteHmmmm
Guessing here -
Pyrite sun stone
fossilized animal poo
and some sort of sandstone or shale... no real idea...
Not a rock hound kind of guy...
Have a great day!
Just dropped by to say Hello after you dropped by my blog the other day...
ReplyDeleteHmmmm
Guessing here -
Pyrite sun stone
fossilized animal poo
and some sort of sandstone or shale... no real idea...
Not a rock hound kind of guy...
Have a great day!
Thanks to all who guessed or made a comment.
ReplyDeleteI have two contestants with right answers! Congratulations, Julie and Claude. You both correctly answered Pyrite Sun for the #1 photo and sandstone (more specifically known as bending sandstone or Itacolumbite) for #3. And yes, #2 is #2, ie., petrified dinosaur doo doo. Julie, I'm giving you the correct answer here since you were searching for anything about #2. If you guys want your prizes (I will send a variety of things like pyrite, amethyst, hemitite, etc...) then send your mailing address to me via secretagingman@gmail.com.
Thanks for playing! By the way, pyrite suns are found in the coal mines of Southern Illinois and their genesis is a geologic mystery. A satisfactory answer regarding their origin has never surfaced, and supposedly they are not fossils. Some are made of pyrite while others are marcasite.
Congrats to the winners!
ReplyDeleteRockhounds indeed. I never knew there was so much interesting info about plain old rocks. I knew about pyrite though, after researching an article I wrote recently about acid mine drainage. (Thanks for realizing the lengthy posts, and did she tell you?)
ReplyDeleteTC, we once had a bad acid mine drainage problem in the Illinois strip mine fields, but strict reclamation rules (and enforcemnt of the rules) have really helped mitigate the problem. I'm one to believe that natural resources can be extracted and the environment protected when everyone agrees on common sense approaches. Too often groups are idealogically pitted against each other without even considering obvious solutions to real problems.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about W2W recognizing long posts are not always the best ones. I tend to get carried away and put big chunks of information out all at once. Tiny bites are better for digestion and for blogging!
I enjoy all your posts. It's true that some folks might not take the time to read it all..but to heck with them. LOL...I am so bad at guessing things that I am glad that people had already gotten the answers by the time I got here..Michelle
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! I was also surprised that the right answers came around so soon. There must be many potential rock collectors out there.
ReplyDeleteHey, I won...
ReplyDeletebut I will concede to Julie... besides, I'm hardly a regular here and I don't think an upstart like me should walk away with prizes. Especially for knowing what fossilized poo looks like...
SAM- Oh my goodness! How exciting! I never would have guessed dinasour poop!!! Thanks for letting me win anyway!!! I think Claude should be the real winner though! You have inspired me to study up more on geology...am even thinking of taking a college course, just for fun!
ReplyDeleteGive us another challenge!!! That was fun!
Claude, I'm glad you stopped by and made the correct guesses. I am only an occassional guest blogger on my wife's blog, so everyone is new to me. Believe me, I have hundreds of small mineral specimens like the ones I'm giving as prizes. I would be happy to send some your way, if you would like.
ReplyDeleteJulie, your excitement is contagious! I got your e-mail and will be sending out the goodies next week. For starters, I would suggest a geology course for non-majors or perhaps Physical Geology. Physical Geology is usually the first course someone takes that majors in Geology. The course is a broad overview of landforms, tectonics, petrology, etc...
I will be thinking about another kind of challenge. Not quite sure what... but maybe inspiration will hit sometime this weekend.
SAM- Thanks for the tips on a class to take! I am ultra excited about doing it.
ReplyDeleteThanks again, SAM...I posted pics of my prize on my blog yesterday! You can see it HERE!
ReplyDeleteLove them all! God bless you!
Julie
SAM- I saw a Rocks and Minerals Magazine at Books-A Million today! I had it in my hand to buy, but chose an book about Geology (all facts, no pics) instead. I do love to look at the rocks, and am considering doing a set of artist trading cards featuring rocks and gems. That would be ultra great!
ReplyDeleteHey SAM... I recieved my rocks and they're really quite wonderful... I was going to put them in a blog post, but I wanted to also take pics of some of my fossils that I collect locally (nothing dramatic, but I like them) for the same post, then my life had one of it's periodic explosions in my face... and suddenly I realized that I hadn't even said thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed of myself...
So, belatedly, thank you for the great gift.
Claude
Julie, those trading cards with pictures sound great. I've done some unique informational cards that accompany my rock collection kits and think that maybe your artistic works would go nicely at the top of the cards. Maybe we could cooperate on that project? The cards are geared toward Christian homeschoolers and relate something about the rocks with spiritual principles and scriptures. If you are interested, I will send you a set.
ReplyDeleteClaude, you are much more than welcomed for the rocks. I really didn't expect any kudos and just enjoy sharing the hobby with others. I will be on the lookout for your post about the fossils! We don't have many of those in Florida either.