tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39327807799120913672024-03-13T12:03:24.967-07:00SRR Colvin: Maddy's Blog - Posts From Maddy's WorldEnter the fictional world of Madison Terrence, Cavern City's youngest geology professor.S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-73752639906201212012020-05-22T04:37:00.003-07:002020-05-22T04:42:31.361-07:00Caving Discouraged During COVID-19 PandemicInteresting . . . COVID-19 and caving<br />
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Caving in Virginia is being discouraged for two reasons. First, the conditions in a cave offer poor ventilation and overall space can make social distancing difficult for people. Second, there is some concern that people can pass the virus to bats and perhaps the cycle could begin anew.<br />
<br />
Read about it here: <a href="https://www.wjhl.com/local-coronavirus-coverage/virginia-cave-board-caving-discouraged-during-pandemic-due-to-possible-human-to-bat-virus-spread/" target="_blank">Message from the Virginia Cave Board</a><br />
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Maddy<br />
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<br />S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-7093100534644602722019-06-11T01:54:00.001-07:002019-06-11T01:54:30.731-07:00Caving Can be Dangerous - Practice Safety<br />
In the county I live in there was a recent incident that could have turned deadly. Thankfully, both cavers were rescued and reunited with their loved ones.<br />
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The details directly from one of the rescued cavers are included in the story below. Cold, damp, and in darkness after flashlights died. Scary.<br />
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<a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/After-four-days-trapped-in-a-cave-Covington-man-thankful-for-the-family-that-never-lost-hope-511006671.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WDBJ 7 News</a><br />
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Planning and caution are absolute requirements when exploring caves. Preparation is key. Commercial and open to the public caves are legal, safer, and often trained and equipped guides are available.<br />
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Maddy<br />
<br />S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-59140400428915884752018-06-16T04:47:00.004-07:002018-06-16T04:47:43.555-07:00Explore!The article linked below is from a few years back and is a great read on exploring caves with your kids.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mykidsadventures.com/spelunking-explore-caves/" target="_blank">How to Explore Caves With Your Kids: Spelunking Basics</a><br />
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<br />S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-50363562158054499712016-07-30T05:27:00.003-07:002016-07-30T05:27:42.674-07:00100 Children's Books to Read in a Lifetime (an Amazon list)Today's topic is books. <b><i>BOOKS!</i></b><br />
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When I looked through this list I felt a certain sense of satisfaction, almost relief, that I've read most of these books since that means childhood has been good to me! Thanks Mom and Dad.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=s9_acss_bw_cg_CHP8P_3b1?node=9660210011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=EKREMZJ58QERP4V9PJWJ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=2435274482&pf_rd_i=4" target="_blank">Amazon's List of 100 Children's Books to Read in a Lifetime</a><br />
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That's all for now. Keep on reading.<br />
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MaddyS R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-23896884136093474742016-04-12T03:19:00.000-07:002016-04-12T03:19:15.136-07:00Phong Nha Caves in VietnamHere is another great article about a cave you can explore.<br />
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<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/annabel/2016/04/11/the-coolest-new-adventure-in-asia-exploring-the-phong-nha-caves-in-vietnam/?utm_campaign=Forbes&utm_source=FBPAGE&utm_medium=social&utm_channel=Lifestyle&linkId=23333235#2965b6e5461a" target="_blank">Phong Nha Caves in Vietnam</a><br />
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-MaddyS R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-76122289829103078972016-04-09T14:40:00.001-07:002016-04-12T03:16:00.753-07:00Excellent LA Times article on caves.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
"With a cave you don't know</div>
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what the goal is.</div>
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I can see a mountain peak.</div>
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I can see the moon.</div>
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When I go into a cave,</div>
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I don't know what I'll find."</div>
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-George Veni, director of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute</div>
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Here is a link to an excellent LA Times article on caves (2-29-2016). <a href="http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-d-nps-caverns-20160215-htmlstory.html">Click here to read.</a> It also includes information about caves managed by the National Park Service and the several that offer tours.<div>
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S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-70905491410537851622015-10-01T03:19:00.000-07:002015-10-01T03:19:07.205-07:00Geologists Discover New Layer in Earth’s Mantle"Earth’s main layers are the thin crust 4 – 50 miles (6.4 – 80.5 km)
deep, a mantle extending 1,800 miles (2,900 km) deep and the iron core.<br />
But there are subdivisions." <br /><br />
Source: <a href="http://www.sci-news.com/geology/science-new-layer-earths-mantle-02631.html">http://www.sci-news.com/geology/science-new-layer-earths-mantle-02631.html</a><br />
<br />
Fascinating stuff!<br />
MaddyS R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-46119189361964496962015-02-24T06:22:00.001-08:002015-02-24T06:22:17.395-08:00The Search for Antibiotics (in caves)Fascinating!<br /><br />
"An upcoming episode of the popular CBC show, <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/" title="The Nature of Things with Daivid Suzuki">The Nature of Things with Daivid Suzuki</a>, follows scientists into British Columbia’s caves as they search for new antibiotics."<br />
<br /><a href="http://cavingnews.com/20150218-upcoming-episode-features-the-search-for-antibiotics-in-canadas-caves" target="_blank">Click here to read the story on the Caving News page.</a><br />
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<b>Added bonus</b>: The cursor acts like a flashlight on the background cave walls of the Caving News web page. Have fun!<br /><br />That's all for now,<br />MaddyS R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-48415695419432256502014-08-09T07:50:00.002-07:002014-08-09T07:50:49.728-07:00Amazon vs. the World<br />Read all the way to the bottom of Laura's post for an extra treat! <br /><br />A "today only" treat. (Saturday 8-9-2014)<br />
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<a href="http://laurakreitzer.com/amazon-vs-world-time-fight-back/" target="_blank">Laura Kreitzer's web site</a>S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-83050341569037031142013-12-28T06:11:00.000-08:002013-12-28T06:11:10.770-08:00<h1 class="title" href="http://mashable.com/2013/12/27/snowmen-on-instagram/">
15 Snowman Ideas That Don't Require Snow<br /><br /><a href="http://mashable.com/2013/12/27/snowmen-on-instagram/?utm_cid=mash-com-g+-main-photo" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Click to see the photo gallery on Mashable.com</span></a></h1>
<h1 class="title" href="http://mashable.com/2013/12/27/snowmen-on-instagram/">
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<h1 class="title" href="http://mashable.com/2013/12/27/snowmen-on-instagram/">
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S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-64797636390900548612013-11-11T06:33:00.001-08:002013-11-11T06:33:16.494-08:00TerraScapes 2014 Calendar<br />
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Wow! I love geology and this Geological Society of America calendar has some dazzling photos. I think it will make a great present.<br />
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<a href="http://rock.geosociety.org/Store/detail.aspx?id=CAL2014">http://rock.geosociety.org/Store/detail.aspx?id=CAL2014</a><br />
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MaddyS R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-77491922363827779912013-05-13T02:58:00.000-07:002013-05-13T03:01:20.910-07:00The Bing search engine homepage "image of the day" for Monday, May 13, 2013 is <span class="sb_meta" title="">Anhumas Abyss, a cavern with a deep pool inside, near Bonito, Brazil. Fabulous!</span><br />
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Click here: <a href="http://www.bing.com/" target="_blank">Bing 5-13-13</a> The image rotates an awesome full 360 degrees.<br />
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After today, you can use the back button on the lower right of the homepage to step backward one day at a time to find it.<br />
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<em>-Maddy</em>S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-76370801080942005482012-02-24T08:11:00.000-08:002012-02-24T08:11:01.833-08:00Angel's Perch MovieNow mobile users can text to donate to Angel's Perch!<br />Text ANGELS to 85944 to donate $10<br />
($10 will be added to your next cell phone bill, Data and Messaging rates may apply)<br />
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More information on the project and other ways to donate and get involved can be found on the film's website: <a href="http://angelsperch.com/donate/">http://angelsperch.com/donate/</a><br />
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This is going to be a great film, one of an emotional journey. Writer/Producer J.T. Arbogast's grandmother was lost to Alzheimer's Disease and she was from the Cass area of West Virginia. That's where the bulk of the film will be shot.<br />
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I also lost a grandmother to the disease. She was my father's mom. I can remember when she reached the point that she would think my toddler daughter was me. Sadly, she would have to be reminded that I had grown up and had a child of my own.<br />
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I've supported the project and encourage others to as well. And now, it's even easier to do with Text to Donate by texting ANGELS to 85944. See the web site for more information: <a href="http://angelsperch.com/">http://angelsperch.com</a>S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-4239268328407081722012-02-02T06:40:00.000-08:002012-02-02T06:40:50.781-08:00Gopher Day 2012<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gopher Day 2012 has been cancelled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Digby has decided to "occupy" the couch and watch
an Ice Age movie. So there will be no lofty prognostications from him on this
3rd annual Gopher Day 2012. I suppose it's going to be more of a sloth day, but he's happy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maddy</span><br />S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-14741911562072329842011-09-18T13:52:00.000-07:002011-09-18T13:52:48.522-07:00USGS Earthquake Web SiteMaddy here!<br />
<br />
Everyone who knows anything at all about me knows that I love, LOVE,
geology. Since I've been in California for the past month my geological
focus has been on earthquakes and I'd like to share an excellent web
resource for earthquake information. <br />
<br />
The web site of the <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/">USGS (United States Geological Survey)</a> shows data for past and current earthquakes. The menu on the left side of the above linked page offers different options for viewing earthquake data such as:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/">Real-Time - World</a> (from the present time to seven days prior)</li>
<li><a href="http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/qed/">Past 8 - 30 days</a> (recent history events) </li>
<li><a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/">Significant </a>(large or intense events)</li>
<li><a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/">Lists and Maps </a>(search by state, damage maps, etc.)</li>
</ul>
I visit this link frequently, <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/">Real-Time - USA</a>, because it features real-time data for all earthquakes in the conterminous (sharing a common boundary) United States — since that's where I am.<br />
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That's all for now. I'm out!<br />
<br />
Maddy<br />
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<br />S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-36066181090614093602011-02-28T10:12:00.000-08:002011-02-28T16:39:11.240-08:00Angel's PerchHello,<br /><br />This blog is "written" by my main character, Madison Terrence. As the mere author of her story, I generally stay out of the way and let Maddy do the blogging. However, today I break character and come to you as Susan because I want to share a wonderful project that is coming to Cass, WV. It was the film's location and subject matter that hooked me.<br /><br />Angel's Perch is an indie film set to begin production in the Fall of 2011. Much of it will be filmed in Cass, a scenic railroad town in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. A more gorgeous backdrop I cannot imagine. As many of my blog followers and lurkers (go ahead and click to follow—I don't bite) may know, I was born and raised in Alleghany (with an "a") County, VA, just 24 miles from West Virginia. My parents took me and my brothers to ride the <a href="http://www.cassrailroad.com/">Cass Railroad</a> some 35-40 years ago, and today it still steams passengers up to Bald Knob, the third highest point in West Virginia.<br /><br />My paternal grandmother suffered from Alzheimer's as does a character in the Angel's Perch. I remember my grandmother would sit and regale me with vivid tales of her past, and yet, she didn't know who I was. Sometimes she would she my toddler and think it was me, still a youngster. Too many people have similar stories now.<br /><br />"Set almost entirely in the small, historic logging town of Cass, WV, “Angel’s Perch” examines the delicate relationship between past and present, memory and loss."<span style="font-style: italic;">-source: <a href="http://angelsperch.com/synopsis/">http://angelsperch.com/synopsis/</a></span><br /><br />Want to get involved with the project? Want to be a team member?<br /><a href="http://angelsperch.com/get-involved/">Click here!</a><br /><br />SRR Colvin<br /><br /><iframe src="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2047138862/angels-perch-feature-film/widget/video.html" width="480px" frameborder="0" height="410px"></iframe>S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-70053266330217268812011-02-24T10:04:00.000-08:002011-02-24T12:32:54.102-08:00Amazing Libraries<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcASG73yirM2bc6Mpm0qSqqJPCkwxPBYV3I8FZEWLZ626b6ZSUHN5-dEksmKpZBg7gANVL4NmZrye-VEXI21CCbwEIAQRhvsSTaKKwe7iqerbp7LrZCDVjAAdD45p8xmMgkteFyZ07Vkc/s1600/libraries2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcASG73yirM2bc6Mpm0qSqqJPCkwxPBYV3I8FZEWLZ626b6ZSUHN5-dEksmKpZBg7gANVL4NmZrye-VEXI21CCbwEIAQRhvsSTaKKwe7iqerbp7LrZCDVjAAdD45p8xmMgkteFyZ07Vkc/s200/libraries2.jpg" title="Strahov Theological Hall – Prague, Czech Republic" alt="Strahov Theological Hall – Prague, Czech Republic" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577322850469319986" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Books and libraries! Need I say more?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://matadornetwork.com/trips/photo-essay-amazing-libraries-around-the-world">Click to see some beautiful and amazing libraries around the world! </a><br /><br />(Although I live south of Salt Lake City (#1 on the list), #2 is my personal favorite!)<br /><br />MaddyS R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-11652881599555093942011-02-02T13:53:00.000-08:002011-02-03T07:31:36.581-08:00Gopher Day 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNZ8L2BnJT9GCtz3oFjS6MapCFoTGWNogIY6vA78ZtAMRCHMN0dKquvoHMC18xHwtbGgf9dR55Vw4ljtkmyR2PeJ_IsCh6bSfxiZQ7_JKUIgLzh_a3FTMlTGNOn7GwMU_sVWZ35UhTuk/s1600/icicles.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNZ8L2BnJT9GCtz3oFjS6MapCFoTGWNogIY6vA78ZtAMRCHMN0dKquvoHMC18xHwtbGgf9dR55Vw4ljtkmyR2PeJ_IsCh6bSfxiZQ7_JKUIgLzh_a3FTMlTGNOn7GwMU_sVWZ35UhTuk/s200/icicles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569214239249451826" border="0" /></a>As most of you know I started a new tradition last year called "Gopher Day" that occurs every year on the day after Groundhog Day.<span style=""> </span>I call it Gopher Day since I have a gopher living in my house rather than a groundhog. <p class="MsoNormal">Digby, my odd and proud little gopher, has been with my family since before I was born, so there's no telling how old he is.<span style=""> </span>He's from a beautiful world deep inside the earth called Krybos.<span style=""> </span>While in his native Krybos Digby can speak like you or I do, albeit with an unsettling Sean Connery<span style=""> </span>accent.<span style=""> </span>Here in the surface world he is more gopher-like and tunnels through the neighborhood, tortures us all with non-stop stomach distress, and makes funny squeaking noises because he doesn't have speech capabilities. And although he can't talk here in the surface world, he more than makes up for it with street-smarts which, I guess, in his case would be tunnel-smarts. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">On last year's inaugural Gopher Day, Digby established how he was going to prognosticate on the coming weather trends, making certain there was no similarity to how the<i style=""> lowly</i> groundhog does it. <span style=""></span><span style=""></span>(See <a href="http://srrcolvin.blogspot.com/2010/02/digbys-first-gopher-day.html">Gopher Day 2010</a> post). I knew this year would be no different.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I woke up this morning when Digby jumped onto the bed then clawed his way up and over the edge, having not quite made the leap. I could feel the covers being clawed away a few inches at a time.<span style=""> </span>I just laid there with the remaining corner of the top sheet pulled up to my nose and waited for the inevitable.<span style=""> </span>When it didn't come, I took a breath and peeked out to see my furry friend sitting on his haunches with a DVD case clamped in his bite. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now remember, last year Digs abandoned traditional rodent weather prognostication methods and made a deliberate selection of a DVD with a seasonal theme to indicate his decision.<span style=""> </span>He chose National Lampoon's Vacation which is a warm, summer-themed movie.<span style=""> </span>So, I wondered, what would this year be?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As I sat up, Digby came forward and offered the dripping movie case which I took and swiped across my pajama top.<span style=""> </span>"Interesting choice," I told him. "The cover says it all."</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I placed "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319262/">The Day After Tomorrow</a>" DVD case on the nightstand then scooped my little buddy into my arms. Following the familiar sounds stirring above us, we climbed the spiral staircase to the fourth floor treasure room called Grandpa's Attic.</p> "I'm sure you know the groundhog didn't see his shadow yesterday," I said.<span style=""> </span>"That means he's predicting an early Spring." Digby gave me his toothy smile as if to stand by his decision.<span style=""> </span>"Right. Well, one thing's for certain. <i style="">One </i>of you is wrong."<p class="MsoNormal">Just because Digby is predicting six more weeks of winter weather doesn't mean we can expect it.<span style=""> </span>I really think his prediction is based more on differentiating himself from the groundhog.<span style=""> </span>After all, he's not a weather expert, he's a movie expert.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Until next time,</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Maddie </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-7503182883120749542011-02-01T13:37:00.000-08:002011-02-01T13:48:10.233-08:00Gopher Day 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKrKW23fDfszCOfb5Ncey9t21O-2iVKkZhBTIihTqnbnTsNFTNQ3hGJX-61b6EaRPrJ19mNfSpHcyi6Ai8omrav524ivL5UPiKzMZfJW_6DKOcdv2qM4dNEedig0eXP5mwrN93fOpVQg/s1600/gopher28.gif"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 89px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKrKW23fDfszCOfb5Ncey9t21O-2iVKkZhBTIihTqnbnTsNFTNQ3hGJX-61b6EaRPrJ19mNfSpHcyi6Ai8omrav524ivL5UPiKzMZfJW_6DKOcdv2qM4dNEedig0eXP5mwrN93fOpVQg/s200/gopher28.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568840931182465842" border="0" /></a><br />Maddie here.<br /><br />Last February was my inaugural Gopher Day with Digby, my pet gopher, as the star of the show. Good grief. Click here to read how that fiasco turned out: <a href="http://srrcolvin.blogspot.com/2010/02/digbys-first-gopher-day.html">Gopher Day 2010</a> .<br /><br />I've decided to try it again this year. Come back to my blog on Thursday (February 3, 2011), the day after "Groundhog Day," to see what Digby's prediction is for the next six weeks of weather.<br /><br />Till then,<br />MaddieS R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-39436401047888280842011-01-15T06:26:00.000-08:002011-01-15T08:09:43.645-08:00Dinosaurs in Castle Dale, UT!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx962A797FwE0aaVp5egqlJzal2pBTMwXtJBfbPrFsOXDhfopaaldKnN082S8WGuOA5CeBCGqCJ2305-er7C3-ZsQ22FAcPdJGd4yyaHT9OrvbOdlVRMS3NF1Hllvxg760AmXqvdx64Q8/s1600/dinosaur.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx962A797FwE0aaVp5egqlJzal2pBTMwXtJBfbPrFsOXDhfopaaldKnN082S8WGuOA5CeBCGqCJ2305-er7C3-ZsQ22FAcPdJGd4yyaHT9OrvbOdlVRMS3NF1Hllvxg760AmXqvdx64Q8/s200/dinosaur.jpg" title="Image Source: Museum of the San Rafael web site" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562423786450913586" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Maddy here! </span><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">I found several dinosaurs just down the street from where I'm staying in Utah. </p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The</span> <a href="http://www.castlecountry.com/what_to_do/san_rafael_museum.html">Museum of the San Rafael</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> is home to several dinosaur skeletons including an Allosaurus.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="style8">"Allosaurus lived during the Late Jurassic Period around 140 million years ago. It is one of the largest and most fearsome predators to have ever lived on land.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="style8">Allosaurus had short arms, ending in sharp 10 long dagger-like claws, which it could use to tear into the flesh of its victims. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="style8">Sharp four inch long teeth were also used to tear apart the dead and dying victims that were unfortunate enough to have been hunted by Allosaurus.</span><span class="style8"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="style8"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Fossils found in Utah, North America suggest that Allosaurus may have lived and hunted in groups or packs."</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><i><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Source:</span><a href="http://www.kidsdinos.com/dinosaurs-for-children.php?dinosaur=Allosaurus"> </a></i><a href="http://www.kidsdinos.com/dinosaurs-for-children.php?dinosaur=Allosaurus"> http://www.kidsdinos.com</a></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">While at the museum I also learned about the area's early culture.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">People of the </span><a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" href="http://www.onlineutah.com/fremontindianhistory.shtml">Fremont Culture</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> lived in the San Rafael area of Utah about a thousand years ago, then vanished.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Besides implements of their daily life, they left behind rock art.</span><span style=""><br /></span></p><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTxxXdCUgSpg-f87V_zkaXG3ORBw-mCPx4GaFl4Q5ymSB3xHs2RI7h-8NHgaPRKBoR5hcsTfTYHyF0CvBXZNpc0p6fyFcljBHxKbdd4oSdqmvGvUe3BYNjyDhjxOJN0t3TPD5a_fDMh0/s1600/IMGP3488_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTxxXdCUgSpg-f87V_zkaXG3ORBw-mCPx4GaFl4Q5ymSB3xHs2RI7h-8NHgaPRKBoR5hcsTfTYHyF0CvBXZNpc0p6fyFcljBHxKbdd4oSdqmvGvUe3BYNjyDhjxOJN0t3TPD5a_fDMh0/s200/IMGP3488_2.jpg" title="I took this photo" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562421822031413650" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I went out to see their petroglyphs carved and chipped into a massive rock face a few miles outside of town.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">No one can be sure what the images mean since the artists are long gone.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">There are also ancient pictographs from a previous culture painted onto the same bluff. It's an awesome sight that should be viewed when the rock face is shaded, as the painted images will seemingly disappear in direct sun and you can't see the details.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I'm off to explore the canyon lands.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">My next post will be on my favorite subject—GEOLOGY!</span> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">That's all for now,</p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">Maddy</p>S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-33754335726834076752010-10-10T05:16:00.000-07:002010-10-10T07:32:37.907-07:00Caves and Crystals!Maddy here!<br /><br />It's been a busy summer for me. I haven't even had time to blog about my favorite subject - caves. But now, National Geographic is airing a television special called "Into the Lost Crystal Caves." It will be on today (October 10th) at 8 PM. I - can't - wait!<br /><br />Geologist Juan Manuel García-Ruiz said it's "the Sistine Chapel of crystals." He was talking about <em>Cueva de los Cristales</em> (Cave of Crystals) that was found a thousand feet beneath Naica Mountain in Mexico. The Cave of Crystals contains some of the largest naturally occuring crystals known in the world. Some are as long as 36 feet!<br /><br />It's been said entering Mexico's Cave of Crystals is like walking inside a giant geode. Really? Well, I did that when I was in Krybos. Of course, the crystal cavern I was in didn't have the oppressive heat that this one in Mexico has. It is said that 30 minutes in that heat can kill a human. I think I'll stick with the looking at pictures of it. I know my best friend, Onyx, would be first in line to go inside. She's just a bit more adventurous than me.<br /><br />Here is a web site with awesome pictures of the massive crystals: <a href="http://www.thatcrystalsite.com/caves.php">http://www.thatcrystalsite.com/caves.php</a><br /><br />Here's something I want to try: Nat Geo's "rock candy" recipe.<br /><a href="http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/into-the-lost-crystal-caves-4636/Overview39#tab-rock-candy">http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/into-the-lost-crystal-caves-4636/Overview39#tab-rock-candy</a><br /><br />That's all for now!<br />MaddyS R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-69996441913148744802010-07-27T08:12:00.000-07:002010-07-27T08:15:38.681-07:00Another Great Review of TKS"Adventure and geology? Awesome!" - from Red House Books<br /><br /><a href="http://redhousebooks.blogspot.com/2010/06/book-review-krybosian-stairpath-by-srr.html">Click here to read the review!</a>S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-38891545576540295952010-06-16T05:35:00.000-07:002010-06-16T05:38:37.528-07:00TKS Book ReviewHere's another great review of <em>The Krybosian Stairpath</em>.<br /><br /><a href="http://afanaticbookblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/book-review-krybosian-stairpath.html">Click to read the review</a>S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-16433936810372213312010-05-24T14:45:00.000-07:002010-05-24T17:17:38.477-07:00Book RecommendationsMaddy here!<br /><br />Everyone who knows me knows that I love to read. Naturally, I spend a lot of time reading and researching geology topics because I teach geology classes at the university here in Cavern City. I have to stay current in my field. I even keep a rock and mineral guide on my bedside table. Weird, I know, but it helps me sleep better.<br /><br />I also read quite a bit of fiction. I've found a web site that brilliantly categorizes and recommends both fiction and non-fiction books. It makes the search for the next good read a snap. Now I spend less time figuring out <em>what</em> I want to read and more time actually reading.<br /><br />The site is called Flashlight Worthy and they make <a href="http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/">book recommendations</a>. ←Click and you will find 4,940 great books in 53 different categories and 383 unique lists.<br /><br />Here are two lists I like:<br /><br /><ol><li><br />"5 Great Books for Strong, Adventurous, Smart Young Girls" <a href="http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/Great-Books-for-Strong-Adventurous-Smart-Young-Girls/608">http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/Great-Books-for-Strong-Adventurous-Smart-Young-Girls/608</a><br />(Of course I like <em>those</em> books!)<br /></li><br /><li><br />"Good Books for Strong Girls in 3rd, 4th or 5th Grade"<br /><a href="http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/Good-Books-for-Girls-3rd-4th-5th-Grade/406">http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/Good-Books-for-Girls-3rd-4th-5th-Grade/406</a><br />(Remember - I'm still a 5th grader by day, geology professor evenings and weekends.)<br /></li></ol><br /><br /><p>That's all for now!<br /><br />Maddy </p>S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932780779912091367.post-21308738388459851992010-05-19T13:48:00.000-07:002010-05-19T14:58:27.997-07:00May Apples in Spring!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbvuyOFDdl8FYiEIHZRwWFY6W2Zoh5Iyja707i6MV4QyPFeQSoIb_WetMH15gly3Rql29vhsKTOQCuRH-nPnJVkikVblSiq4LBbrc4zPJHVB5SISaDJqroStD0hrmoge8qlPLXBtJMBg/s1600/mayappleblog.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 244px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473091108492002930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbvuyOFDdl8FYiEIHZRwWFY6W2Zoh5Iyja707i6MV4QyPFeQSoIb_WetMH15gly3Rql29vhsKTOQCuRH-nPnJVkikVblSiq4LBbrc4zPJHVB5SISaDJqroStD0hrmoge8qlPLXBtJMBg/s320/mayappleblog.jpg" /></a>Maddy here!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div>It's the time of year for May Apples, being May and all. This year the mountains of Virginia are thick with them. Here are two pictures I took yesterday of what I call a May Apple Meadow, sheltered beneath a forest canopy not far from my house (Douthat State Park).<br /></div><br /><div>These May Apples (Podophyllum peltatum) erupted from the forest floor in April, bloomed their single white flower in May, and now their tiny fruit (see bottom picture) will steadily grow and ripen through the summer.<br /><br />You can see that the plant has a single base stem from which a pair of umbrella-like leaves branch and rise up to shelter the fruit that forms at the leaf junction. Some plants in the picture above only have a single stem and leaf. These are first year plants and won't produce any flowers or fruit. No junction, no fruit. Cool, huh?</div><div><br />Supposedly, the fruit has a lemon flavor, but there is <em>no way</em> I'm going to taste test it. I've read that the May Apple fruit is edible and that some people eat them, but it is also reported that it is toxic in quantity. I choose to appreciate the plant only for its physical beauty and avoid ingesting any part of it. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrS1tdggWJX4rZxxAH4KX7O7JLlJQ35Zj_Gsjxa5maOg2WpVVM2J2Bb5RWzT_Fc20535yN6liJKfn3vNmmPzDigwuL67o0YqGE2iYqb2wkAGQLFtI2brNP-i8_YAspIYu01jz6yQrckf0/s1600/mayappleblog2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473093925977019346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrS1tdggWJX4rZxxAH4KX7O7JLlJQ35Zj_Gsjxa5maOg2WpVVM2J2Bb5RWzT_Fc20535yN6liJKfn3vNmmPzDigwuL67o0YqGE2iYqb2wkAGQLFtI2brNP-i8_YAspIYu01jz6yQrckf0/s320/mayappleblog2.jpg" /></a> <div>Why? It's just a simple a safe rule for me. Since parts of the plant (leaves, stem and root) are definitely considered toxic, I avoid ALL of it. That's seems a logical approach for me since it's easy to do, and so far it's worked. No toxin issues with me.</div><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_S9NBk1_1a7d4A8Im6A9i9Iq0EPmvZCENn-khXVPDS-q5lzp1M1d8w9pfki90aZWeNJWcdqKuVjaYTBhlotRILguvpMoKBhyphenhyphenCOgm-t0aPthSVrBp0YhohMZNvTn1WsbW_vGs2Rzz21c/s1600/mayappleblog2.jpg"></a>My little brother, Mica, is safe because Mom can't even get him to eat a real apple. The Apple iPod is the only apple he knows anything about. Me, I'm a Granny Smith kind of girl. Tart and juicy!<br /><div><br />This past summer when I was in Krybos, I nearly flipped when I saw my pet gopher, Digby, eating May Apples as fast as he could cram them in. I tried to stop him but he quickly pointed out, speaking in a Scottish accent, no less, that Krybos May Apples are not toxic at all. I was so stunned that he could speak English, I forgot all else. Still, I prefer to be guaranteed safe rather than hurling my guts up, or worse! And besides, Digs is a native of Krybos. Maybe he's just immune to any ill effects. </div><div><br />Below, I've included links to two great sites on May Apples.</div><div><br />That's all for now!<br />Maddy</div><div></div><ol><li><a href="http://www.briartech.com/earlyspring/mayapple/may.htm">http://www.briartech.com/earlyspring/mayapple/may.htm</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.altnature.com/gallery/mandrake.htm">http://www.altnature.com/gallery/mandrake.htm</a><br />"May Apple was once called the witches umbrella and thought to be employed by them as a poison, which may not be untrue! The English version of this plant has much lore told of it, being called Manroot (mandrake) believed to be alive and its screams when pulled from the ground would render a man permanently insane." </li></ol><div></div></div></div></div>S R R Colvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859536779916250970noreply@blogger.com0