I have to confess. I'm a rock addict and I'm a thief.
Oct 2, 2015 15:26:47 GMT -5
captbob, Thunder69, and 7 more like this
Post by speterson1960 on Oct 2, 2015 15:26:47 GMT -5
I AM A ROCK ADDICT. Having grown up in Southwest Iowa in the 60s and 70s on a Century Farm, some of you might be able to relate to "picking rocks" and "walking beans." The former was a rite of spring as it seemed that winter was the best time to grow rocks, even in the same field as last year's crop of rocks. I guess the rocks didn't much care about the crop rotation theorem. It was during the latter that I became exposed to rockhounding but didn't even realize it then. I found a rock that was more unique that any other rock I'd seen. Probably brought to the top by the cultivator, it had a sharp edge at one end and a thicker edge on the opposite edge. I stuck it in my pocket (as boys will do). Later, as I was playing with it trying to figure it out, Dad came over to see what I was doing. Being Dad, he figured it out quickly. He simply said, "Put it in your right hand." Being left-handed, I never gave this a thought. Now right-handed for that brief moment, that rock magically became an Indian hide scraper as it fit neatly into my palm and my thumb slid into that neat little slot! Alas, over the years, I lost it but never forgot about it. It taught me two things: 1. Always think with both hands and 2. Being a Dad was something really special to look forward to.
Fifteen years later, I'm now a father myself. My son AJ, two at the time, and I were at Storm Lake fishing from shore. He waddled off and sat down among the rocks. I moved over a little closer so I could be there if needed. He stood and stumbled a dozen feet or so over to me, carrying a rock. It was a neat little rock as it looked like it had sheared away from another larger rock. We sat and had lunch right there on the bank. As I scanned the rock line in front of me, I noticed a softball sized rock that had a part of it missing. What are the odds that the rock AJ found would fit into the rock I found? I don't know, but I do know that the odds of me losing those 2 rocks is infinite. Now AJ is 30 and a geologist, I'm a grandfather and I'm still picking up rocks!
I AM A THIEF. Having read nearly every thread regarding "home made equipment", I have to admit that I've been stealing a lot of your ideas on building my own tumbler project. After gleaning all your failures and triumphs, I built this. I can post a bill of materials if you'd like but all totaled, this came in a less than $1000 and it will last a lifetime. At least mine anyway and then probably my son's as he called "dibs" before his sisters did. But daughter's have a way of getting what they want from fathers, don't they?
It created these in its first run. Nothing special but at least I know it makes SOMETHING! Fine tuning is always the fun part. I'm fortunate that I travel quite a bit for my work, but TSA tends to check my bag frequently to see what that solid mass is. I'd try to hide in my dirties, but I don't think it would phase them. I also live 4 hours from the Keweenaw and get there at least three times a year. If I thought my wife wouldn't move there with me, I'd be there in a heartbeat!
Thanks to everyone I stole from. And a "you're welcome" to those who steal from me! And to Shawn at the Rock Shed: the candies were a special treat for the grandkids who love watching rocks turn into memories. Thanks!
Remember that this Life is a Blessing! We should treat it as such.
Fifteen years later, I'm now a father myself. My son AJ, two at the time, and I were at Storm Lake fishing from shore. He waddled off and sat down among the rocks. I moved over a little closer so I could be there if needed. He stood and stumbled a dozen feet or so over to me, carrying a rock. It was a neat little rock as it looked like it had sheared away from another larger rock. We sat and had lunch right there on the bank. As I scanned the rock line in front of me, I noticed a softball sized rock that had a part of it missing. What are the odds that the rock AJ found would fit into the rock I found? I don't know, but I do know that the odds of me losing those 2 rocks is infinite. Now AJ is 30 and a geologist, I'm a grandfather and I'm still picking up rocks!
I AM A THIEF. Having read nearly every thread regarding "home made equipment", I have to admit that I've been stealing a lot of your ideas on building my own tumbler project. After gleaning all your failures and triumphs, I built this. I can post a bill of materials if you'd like but all totaled, this came in a less than $1000 and it will last a lifetime. At least mine anyway and then probably my son's as he called "dibs" before his sisters did. But daughter's have a way of getting what they want from fathers, don't they?
It created these in its first run. Nothing special but at least I know it makes SOMETHING! Fine tuning is always the fun part. I'm fortunate that I travel quite a bit for my work, but TSA tends to check my bag frequently to see what that solid mass is. I'd try to hide in my dirties, but I don't think it would phase them. I also live 4 hours from the Keweenaw and get there at least three times a year. If I thought my wife wouldn't move there with me, I'd be there in a heartbeat!
Thanks to everyone I stole from. And a "you're welcome" to those who steal from me! And to Shawn at the Rock Shed: the candies were a special treat for the grandkids who love watching rocks turn into memories. Thanks!
Remember that this Life is a Blessing! We should treat it as such.