Tag: virginia

Reminded by that eastern hemlocks post earlier, because there at least were some right around there 10 years ago*–here’s one distinctive piece of the Blue Ridge.

A chunk of Staurolite-Garnet-Mica Schist, from just around Fairy Stone State Park in VA.
Happened by there just driving Mr. C around the last time I was home, stopped by the appropriately named Fairystone Pit Stop, and decided to drag him for a stroll up the mountain behind the gas station. Because that’s the kind of fun date I am.

This particular piece doesn’t have the super obvious staurolite inclusions that the couple of others I picked up did, but it feels good in the hand. The main reason I kept it. (This one actually looks a lot like this piece of Garnet-Mica Schist, but looking more closely you can see a few edges of staurolite crystals in the rock.)

I made a half-assed attempt at finding the couple of other pieces with more obvious staurolite, along with the few (irregular) loose twinned staurolites. But, I am a goblin who hoards interesting rocks on cluttered shelves and then can’t remember where I put them 🙄

The small mica flecks weren’t showing up very well in that light, but the sparkle is a little more visible in that last shot. Along with some pockmarks where the teeny little chunks of garnet came out at some point over the past several hundred million years.

* The situation may not be quite as bad as expected, at least: Eastern hemlocks that have survived insect infestation have a story to tell. They didn’t seem to be doing too badly then, in that area; no idea about more recently.

Poll: only 28 percent of young voters say they will certainly vote in the 2018 midterms

adamtots:

kaijutegu:

hellwolf99:

daddy-socrates:

as-if-and-only-if:

realcleverissues:

VOTE!

DO YOUR PART TO CHANGE THIS STATISTIC WHEN IT MATTERS IN NOVEMBER!

are u fucking kidding me hey kids following me please make sure yall are voting in this fuckin midterm jesus louisus (with all due respect, of course)

REMEMBER THAT THIS COULD BE LIFE OR DEATH

FUCKING VOTE

And if you can’t physically go vote, look into voting by mail! It’s never to early to register to vote and it’s never too early to find out about voting by mail!

Even if you think you’re registered, they’re illegally deregistering people. Make sure you’re registered. It’s super fucking easy. Just go to turbovote.org.

I would be wary of giving my info to that site. Just FYI. The linked post suggests some alternatives.

For people registered/needing to register in Virginia:

Here’s the state site to check and update registration and request an absentee ballot.

https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

Checking registration is easy. You will need a DMV number to register/update or request an absentee ballot online. If you don’t have that (like me now), it will generate prefilled forms to print out and mail in.

If you’re registered/needing to register in another state, doing a quick search should find you the relevant official state website with the info you need.

Poll: only 28 percent of young voters say they will certainly vote in the 2018 midterms

cocothebirb:

cocothebirb:

Unfortunately, the worst has happened and Coco has gone missing.

He flew out an open door earlier this afternoon and we haven’t seen him since. We are in eastern Virginia, so we are getting the outskirts of hurricane Florence right now, so it is highly windy and may rain quite a lot, which is very bad for him.

We looked for him for about half an hour to an hour, but there is no sign of him.

I’m heartbroken, but doing what I can.

He is about 11 months old and a bit touch shy. If you live in the Norfolk area, please be on the look out for a male white faced cockatiel. Reference pic below. Shoot me a message if you find anything. Thanks.

Nothing as of yet. Today I have to go back to school so the search won’t be able to be as active. He has been out for 2 nights now and we are extremely worried. Thank you to everyone reblogging, and even more so to those of you who have reached out to me. I appreciate all the help I can get right now

rainaulthouse:

femininityandwiles:

Of course, If there’s an evacuation order – GET OUT. Don’t risk it.

I don’t live in America, so I’m ok – but I know some of my followers do and I have everything crossed for them. I am so concerned, I even reactivated my FB profile before I’d planned to just to share the previous post there, too. Just as a reminder, if you have insulin, please protect this first and foremost. Failure to maintain your condition can quickly cause you to lapse into a diabetic coma, and even if you’ve never really had problems, please, please take this seriously – my friend died at just 21 after she fell unconscious alone at home and no one got to her in time.

READ THAT AGAIN. The Carolinas last Cat 4 hurricane was in 1989.That’s the year I was born. That means that 29 year olds out there have never seen a storm like this in their lifetime. Even those who have might have been too young or might have been evacuated. The only people likely to remember this clearly are people who are now about 34+. The risk to life is extreme.

It sucks to lose everything (I’ve been there, though not due to a storm), but all the possessions and mementos in the world cannot equal the value of your life and the lives of your loved ones. Take the few things you would be destroyed without if you can, but if not, whoever they remind you of, even if they’re gone – if they were that important to you, you were that important to them, and you are their most lasting legacy.

Stay safe, friends.

I experienced both Fran and Floyd. Don’t play games with weather like this – it’s just as dangerous as California fires, midwest tornadoes, or Ring of Fire earthquakes. Take care of your life first.

Things can be replaced. You can’t. Be safe, listen to warnings, don’t take risks.

a-big-mood:

PLEASE REBLOG

For those who don’t know, Hurricane Florence is barreling towards the East Coast right now, directly towards The Carolinas and Virginia. If it hits as a Category 4, it will be only the second Category 4 to hit in North Carolina history, the first being Hurricane Hazel in 1954. Needless to say, we aren’t prepared. As far inland as Raleigh, my hometown, could see up to a foot of rain and just shy of 100mph winds for several days. Some people have gotten out, but others, such as myself, cannot, and are having to ride this out on our own.

If you know anyone who lives in this area, or know someone with family in this area, call them, talk to them, see if they’re okay and if there is anything that you can do.

If you live in this area and cannot get out, stock up and hunker down. Personally, I’m going to be riding it out alone. My roommates are heading home, but I can’t, as the building I am in now is safer than at home, and my home is still in the path of this storm. My roommates are leaving me their food, water, and any supplies they have that I could use. Some people aren’t so lucky. Here’s some things to consider when preparing:

  • There’s already a shortage on gas, bottled water, bread, soup, etc. so go out TODAY and get what you can if you haven’t already.
  • Make sure you know the evacuation routes and have a bag packed. Pack medications, important documents, food and water, and anything else you will need.
  • If you stock up today, DO NOT BUY MILK OR EGGS. These items are refrigerated and will spoil if the power goes out, so go for non-perishable food. There are supposed to be widespread power outages over half the state, so keep this in mind when stocking up.
  • If you live on the first floor of a building like I do, try to get as much off the floor and up off the ground as possible. That way if water does get in, your personal belongings have a better chance of surviving. THIS INCLUDES POWER STRIPS!!!
  • If you are in an evacuation zone and have not gotten out yet, PLEASE TRY TO NOW. Even if you don’t know where to go, just come inland as much as you can. Shelters are already set to open here in the Triangle as soon as tomorrow, I believe, but the coast is the worst place to be. You need to get out while you can.
  • If you have a bathtub, clean it well and fill it with water tomorrow. This will give you another source of water even if you are unable to find any at the store.
  • MAKE PLANS FOR PETS! My dad is worried about our dogs because they hate storms and are older, and he has no clue what to do about their bathroom habits, so try to plan for this if you can!! Make sure they will have plenty of food and water for this storm, and take into account any anxieties they may have about the storm. Don’t leave them behind.
  • If you have a porch, deck, or patio, clear off and put away any furniture you have to minimize what the wind can pick up.

This isn’t a full list, I’m sure, but these are things that my family and I are thinking about. Just know that this is a serious storm, possibly the worst in Carolina history, and it will be deadly. Take every precaution you can.

Lastly, please reblog this. Even if it isn’t your type of blog. Even if you don’t think anyone that follows you in from this area. Please reblog this. It could save someone’s life, and it’ll help a friend somewhere.